Businesses in Japan set to face increased minimum wage for workers

Proposed adjustment the biggest in over two decades.

A Central Minimum Wages Council subcommittee has proposed a record-breaking increase in the national average minimum wage in Japan.

The plan is to raise the national average minimum wage to $7.5 (¥1,118), representing a 6% lift on average across the country.

Notably, if the ¥63 increase is implemented nationwide, the move would see all prefectures above the ¥1,000 threshold.

According to a The Japan News report published by the Asia News Network, the new wages are slated to be rolled out in stages from October. Reuters reported that the uptick would be the biggest adjustment since at least 2002.

The government's target is to set the average minimum hourly wage at ¥1,500 by the end of the decade.