FY2026 (Reiwa 8) regional minimum wage recommended at a national weighted average of JPY 1,177 (up JPY 56)The minimum wage for FY2026 will average JPY 1,177 an hour nationwide
On September 3, 2026 (Reiwa 8), revised regional minimum wages were recommended in all prefectures. The national weighted average is JPY 1,177, up JPY 56 from JPY 1,121 the previous year, reportedly the second-largest increase since the guideline system began in FY1978 (Showa 53). Each prefecture's new amount takes effect in stages after the objection procedure.
- Previous year's national weighted average
- JPY 1,121
- + Increase
- JPY 56
- FY2026 (Reiwa 8) national weighted average
- JPY 1,177
Key points
- Increases range from JPY 54 to JPY 65 depending on the prefecture. JPY 56 is the most common, in 11 prefectures.
- The highest amount is JPY 1,280 and the lowest is JPY 1,085. The lowest-to-highest ratio is 84.8%, up from 83.4% the previous year, the 12th consecutive year of improvement.
- Effective dates run in stages by prefecture between October 1 and December 2, 2026 (Reiwa 8), after the objection procedure.
What to do in practice
- Check the new minimum wage and effective date for each prefecture where you have a workplace in the Labour Bureau announcement.
- Convert hourly, daily and monthly pay into an hourly rate and check the wage ledger for anyone paid below the new amount.
The minimum wage is the "lowest line" for hourly pay that shops and companies must pay their workers. This year the national average will be JPY 1,177 an hour, JPY 56 more than last year. The amount and the start date differ by prefecture, so it is important to look up the amount for the prefecture where you live.
Points
- The amount depends on where you live (JPY 1,280 in the highest prefecture and JPY 1,085 in the lowest).
- The start date also differs by prefecture, from October 1 to December 2, one after another.
- The increase from last year is between JPY 54 and JPY 65 depending on the prefecture.
What the words mean
- Minimum wage (最低賃金)
- The lowest hourly pay a company is allowed to give a worker
- Weighted average (加重平均)
- An average that gives more weight to prefectures with more workers
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW): MHLW: Revised regional minimum wages recommended in all prefectures
This article summarizes and explains materials published by government agencies and is not advice on any individual case. Rules can change, so for actual procedures and decisions always check the latest original materials and consult professionals such as tax accountants or labor and social security attorneys. English, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese versions are translations prepared from the Japanese articles for convenience. If anything differs, the Japanese text and the original source take precedence.