Japan: jobs and pay

How fast are wages rising in Japan?

Average total cash earnings were ¥311,364 a month in August 2026, up 3.8% from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Monthly Labour Survey (preliminary, 7 October 2026). Scheduled earnings, which leave out overtime and bonuses, were ¥277,861, also up 3.8%.

The survey covers establishments with five or more employees and includes both full-time and part-time workers, so changes in the mix of workers affect the average. Preliminary figures are revised in the final release about two weeks later. The results are listed on the survey's August page.

Official sources: MHLW: Monthly Labour Survey, August 2026 preliminary (PDF)

Are real wages rising in Japan?

Real wages rose 1.5% in August 2026 from a year earlier, the eighth month of increases in a row, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Monthly Labour Survey (preliminary). Deflated by the headline consumer price index instead, the increase was 1.9%.

The main real wage measure divides nominal earnings by the consumer price index excluding imputed rent, which is the notional rent owners would pay themselves. Real wages rise when pay grows faster than prices; in August nominal earnings rose 3.8% while inflation was lower.

Official sources: MHLW: Monthly Labour Survey, August 2026 preliminary (PDF)

How many job openings are there per jobseeker in Japan?

There were 1.18 job openings for every applicant in August 2026, unchanged from July, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's employment referral figures for August 2026. The ratio for new openings was 2.06. By workplace location, Fukui had the highest ratio at 1.72 and Osaka the lowest at 0.95.

The figures count openings and jobseekers registered at public employment security offices (Hello Work), seasonally adjusted. A ratio above 1 means there are more openings than applicants. Openings advertised privately are not included.

Official sources: MHLW: employment referrals, August 2026

How many non-regular workers are there in Japan?

Japan had 21.26 million non-regular employees in August 2026, 150,000 more than a year earlier, according to the Statistics Bureau's Labour Force Survey for August 2026. Regular staff numbered 37.35 million, up 240,000.

Non-regular employees include part-time workers, arubaito, dispatched workers, contract workers and others who are not called regular staff by their employer. The two groups add up to 58.61 million employees excluding company executives. The figures are not seasonally adjusted, so compare them with the same month a year before.

Official sources: Statistics Bureau: Labour Force Survey, August 2026 (PDF)

What share of Japanese adults are in work?

80.3% of people aged 15 to 64 were employed in August 2026, according to the Statistics Bureau's Labour Force Survey for August 2026. The rate was 84.4% for men and 76.1% for women. Across everyone aged 15 and over it was 62.5%, with 68.49 million people in work.

The employment rate divides the number employed by the whole population of that age, not just the labour force. The rate for all ages is lower because it includes people over 65, many of whom are retired.

Official sources: Statistics Bureau: Labour Force Survey, August 2026 (PDF)

What is the average hourly pay for part-time workers in Japan?

Part-time workers earned an average of ¥1,472 an hour in August 2026, up 4.3% from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Monthly Labour Survey (preliminary).

The figure is the scheduled hourly wage of part-time workers at establishments with five or more employees. It is separate from the legal minimum wage, which is set by prefecture. Preliminary figures are revised when the final August results are released.

Official sources: MHLW: Monthly Labour Survey, August 2026 preliminary (PDF)

How much is the minimum wage in Japan?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Japan was 182,726 JPY a month (about $1,207) in 2024. No year since 2012 has been higher.

How much do workers in Japan earn on average?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Japan at $2,801 a month in 2021. Its high point since 2012 was 2012, at $3,731 a month; its low point was 2015, at $2,507 a month. East Asia & Pacific median: $527 a month; Japan is 5th highest of 14. World rank, highest first: 25th of 90.

How high is unemployment in Japan?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 2.5%. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 5.1%; its low point was 2019, at 2.4%. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.9%; Japan is 16th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 152nd of 174.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Japan?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Japan at 3.9% in 2025. The peak was 9.5% in 2010 and the low 3.7% in 2018. East Asia & Pacific median: 7.5%; Japan is 19th highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 156th highest.

What share of people in Japan are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 63.4%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 16th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 65.3%. Worldwide: 78th of 174.

How many women in Japan are working or looking for work?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Japan was 55.9% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 13th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 56.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 73rd highest.

How many people in Japan are employed?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Japan was 61.9%, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 63.1%, and Japan placed 14th highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 56th highest.

How common is self-employment in Japan?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 7.5%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 23rd highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 40.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 156th highest.

How many people in Japan are employees?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Japan was 90.9% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 2nd highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 56.8%. World rank, highest first: 14th of 174.