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Hello everyone working in Japan!
Do you know the current minimum wage in Japan?
For 2025, the national average is 1,055 yen per hour.
Is your hourly wage higher or lower than that?
In this article, I’ll explain the “Minimum Wage in Japan in simple English.
What is the Minimum Wage?
The minimum wage is the lowest amount employers must legally pay workers per hour.
There are two main types:
- Regional Minimum Wage: Different for each prefecture
- Industrial Minimum Wage: Applied to specific industries
You will be paid the higher amount between the two if both apply to you.
2025 Minimum Wage: National Average and by Prefecture
Starting October 2024, the new national average is 1,055 yen/hour.
This is a 51-yen increase from last year — the largest rise since the system began in 1978.
Examples of 2025 Minimum Wage by Prefecture
| Prefecture | Hourly Wage (Yen) |
| Tokyo | 1,163 |
| Kanagawa | 1,162 |
| Osaka | 1,114 |
| Aichi | 1,077 |
| Saitama | 1,078 |
| Chiba | 1,076 |
| Akita (lowest) | 951 |
Most other prefectures fall between 951 yen and 1,163 yen.
Regional Differences
- Kanto Region (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba): Highest range (1,076–1,163 yen)
- Chubu & Kansai (Aichi, Osaka): Around 1,023–1,114 yen
- Other regions (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kyushu, etc.): Mostly 950–1,010 yen range
The Japanese government aims for all prefectures to reach at least 1,000 yen by 2025.
Why Is the Minimum Wage Increasing?
- Rising cost of living
- Decrease in real wages (Down -0.5% in 2024, -1.8% in April 2025)
- Government targets:
- 1,500 yen national average within the 2020s
- 1,600–1,900 yen by 2035
What If Your Employer Doesn’t Follow the Minimum Wage?
If your hourly pay is below the legal minimum wage, your employer must pay you the difference.
Also, employers violating the law can face a fine of up to 500,000 yen, and will receive guidance or inspection from the Labor Standards Inspection Office (労働基準監督署).
If you’re underpaid, you can contact your local Labor Standards Office.
Looking for Affordable Furnished Housing in Tokyo?
If you work in Tokyo, finding affordable housing can be tough. Many furnished apartments cost over 100,000 yen/month, but there’s a better option.
- Rent starts at just 38,000 yen/month (average about 60,000 yen)
- No deposit, no key money, no agent fees — only 50,000 yen initial cost
- Fully furnished with essential appliances and furniture
- Flexible 1-month+ contracts with online applications
- No guarantor needed (guarantor company required with low initial fee)
- Multilingual support including English and several Asian languages
This is ideal for foreign workers, students, and companies needing dormitory housing.
Summary
・Check your hourly wage NOW!
・Make sure it’s above the minimum wage for your prefecture
・If it’s not, talk to your employer, and if that doesn’t work, contact the Labor Standards Office
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