The local council in Tokushima has made headlines by setting a new record with a substantial increase in the minimum wage, raising it from 896 yen to 980 yen per hour in the latest fiscal year's revision. This move is expected to have a positive impact on workers in the region, despite seeming like a minor adjustment, as it reflects an awareness of the economic circumstances and a consideration of the overall living costs within Tokushima Prefecture.
In Japan, the determination of minimum wage rates is a systematic process where each prefecture is assigned a rank based on economic indicators, subsequently leading to adjustments in wages by local councils. This year, the national weighted average minimum wage for Japan increased by a record 51 yen per hour, marking a 5.1 percent rise and demonstrating the efforts made in response to rising prices and labor shortages. While guidelines suggested a uniform 50-yen increase, many prefectures, including Tokushima, opted to exceed this amount to ensure a more appropriate wage level based on their economic position in comparison to other regions.