Japan’s spring wage talks for 2026 ended with an average increase of 5.01 percent, according to the final tally reported in early July. The weighted average, which combines pay-scale and regular salary increases, works out to about 16,400 yen a month.
The result was 0.24 percentage points lower than the 2025 round, but it still met the union federation Rengo’s goal of a rise of at least 5 percent. It was the third consecutive year in which the average increase topped 5 percent.
Sector differences
Manufacturers averaged a 5.24 percent rise, while the information and publishing sector reached 5.85 percent.
Researchers at the East Asia Forum note that the gains are concentrated in large companies, while small and medium-sized enterprises, which employ around 70 percent of Japan’s workforce, face rising labour costs and productivity gaps. Their analysis argues that wage growth will stay uneven unless smaller firms modernise and adopt digital tools.
For the wider context on prices and pay, see our Economy section, and for company-level decisions, see Business. Our Labour and Wages section follows the next round as well.
Source: Jiji Press via nippon.com, 3 July 2026; Adnkronos, 3 July 2026; East Asia Forum, 27 June 2026.
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