MHLW's Survey on Wage Increases, which covers companies with 100 or more employees, put the average rise in 2025 at ¥13,601 a month, or 4.4%; 91.5% of companies raised pay. Rengo's final tally for the 2026 spring wage round, which covers unionised companies, was 5.01% (4.69% at unions with fewer than 300 members).
By company size and union
| Monthly rise | Rise | Companies raising pay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000+ employees | ¥16,784 | 5.1% | 98.9% |
| 1,000-4,999 employees | ¥15,859 | 5.0% | 96.0% |
| 300-999 employees | ¥12,308 | 4.0% | 95.6% |
| 100-299 employees | ¥10,264 | 3.6% | 89.7% |
| Companies with a labour union | ¥15,229 | 4.8% | 95.5% |
| Companies without a labour union | ¥11,980 | 4.0% | 90.4% |
By industry (largest rise first)
| Industry | Monthly rise | Rise |
|---|---|---|
| Mining and quarrying of stone and gravel | ¥18,020 | 6.1% |
| Construction | ¥20,724 | 5.9% |
| Electricity, gas, heat supply and water | ¥19,611 | 5.3% |
| Manufacturing | ¥15,952 | 5.2% |
| Real estate and goods rental and leasing | ¥14,368 | 4.5% |
| Wholesale and retail trade | ¥12,183 | 4.2% |
| Finance and insurance | ¥17,567 | 4.1% |
| Information and communications | ¥14,096 | 3.9% |
| Scientific research, professional and technical services | ¥14,911 | 3.8% |
| Transport and postal activities | ¥10,545 | 3.6% |
| Accommodations, eating and drinking services | ¥10,177 | 3.6% |
| Services, n.e.c. | ¥8,621 | 3.4% |
| Education, learning support | ¥9,300 | 3.2% |
| Living-related and personal services and amusement services | ¥7,744 | 2.9% |
| Medical, health care and welfare | ¥5,589 | 2.3% |
Ten years
| Year | Monthly rise | Rise | Rengo tally |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ¥5,282 | 1.9% | — |
| 2016 | ¥5,176 | 1.9% | 2.00% |
| 2017 | ¥5,627 | 2.0% | 1.98% |
| 2018 | ¥5,675 | 2.0% | 2.07% |
| 2019 | ¥5,592 | 2.0% | 2.07% |
| 2020 | ¥4,940 | 1.7% | 1.90% |
| 2021 | ¥4,694 | 1.6% | 1.78% |
| 2022 | ¥5,534 | 1.9% | 2.07% |
| 2023 | ¥9,437 | 3.2% | 3.58% |
| 2024 | ¥11,961 | 4.1% | 5.10% |
| 2025 | ¥13,601 | 4.4% | 5.25% |
Rengo: JTUC-Rengo spring wage offensive, final tally (average-wage method), 2026; figures quoted with attribution.
Questions
How much did pay rise in Japan?
4.4%, or ¥13,601 a month, per worker in 2025 at companies with 100 or more employees (MHLW Survey on Wage Increases). JTUC-Rengo's final 2026 spring wage tally was 5.01%.
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Survey on Wage Increases 2025; compiled and translated by The Hardest Market. Reference period: pay revisions made or planned in calendar 2025 (survey July-August 2025). Published 2025-10-14. Next release: 2026-11.
Original tables: MHLW
Related: Pay by occupation · Where hiring is hardest · Hiring and turnover · Foreign workers · Paid leave, hours and retirement · Minimum wage · HR calendar (next releases)