More Japan employers open to minimum wage hike
SMEs have now indicated a willingness to accept the government’s decision on minimum wage increases due to a serious labour shortage and rising prices.
Firms in Japan adopt flexible working arrangements
A number of Japanese companies are granting its workers flexible work options in a bid to attract and retain talent.
More companies adopt four-day workweek in Japan
More Japanese companies are offering a four-day workweek so that their employees can have a better work-life balance.
Japan’s unemployment rate falls to lowest level in almost two years
Compared to a month earlier, the number of workers rose by 180,000 in March, while workers who were unemployed fell by 90,000 over the same month.
Japan running out of funds for parental leave allowances
The ballooning cost to provide allowances for employees who take parental leave is causing fears of a fund shortage.
Japan moots scheme to insure all workers in the country
The government will soon initiate discussions on expanding the coverage of employee pensions and health insurance programmes to all workers.
More large Japan businesses plan to increase headcount in 2023
Out of the 117 businesses surveyed by Kyodo News, 49 firms said that they will hire more fresh graduates starting next April.
Hitachi joins four-day workweek drive in Japan
Hitachi employees now have more flexibility to change and organise their schedules to work only four days a week.
SAP makes key leadership changes for the APJ region
Subramanian Ananthapadmanabhan has been appointed as Senior Vice President and Head of Midmarket, APJ.
Japan Business Federation calls for digitalisation to be accelerated
The Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) has proposed the review of laws that would promote digitisation for organisations across the country.
Japan revises law to make paternity leave more accessible
All companies must inform their employees of the paternity leave system, and confirm with to-be fathers whether they want to take the leave.
Earning power of freelancers and self-employed in Japan falls
About 37% of freelance workers surveyed expect their incomes to be lower than before the pandemic going forward.
Japan’s unemployment rate in February falls to 2.7%
The job availability ratio in February rose slightly to 1.21 from 1.20 in January, marking the second straight month of improvement.
Japan mulls mandating disclosure of average wages by gender
As part of efforts to reduce gender inequality, the government is also considering having firms disclose the ratio of male workers on childcare leave.
Japan’s top firms agree to minimum wage raise of over 2%
The prime minister had previously called for a wider distribution of wealth, and urged companies to increase wages of their workers by 3% or more.
Companies in Japan no longer need to identify COVID-19 close contacts
The central government will no longer require companies to identify employees who have had close contacts with coronavirus patients.
Wages in Japan rises in January for first time in five months
Inflation-adjusted real wages, a gauge of households’ purchasing power, increased 0.4% year-on-year in the month.
Japan group set up to protect gig workers’ rights
Currently, gig workers are considered self-employed and therefore not guaranteed a minimum wage or employment insurance.
Japan to focus on flexible working in upcoming labour talks
The Japanese Trade Union Confederation wants businesses to define workplace rules related to the eligibility for remote work.
Over two thirds of firms in Japan have no plans to raise base wages this year
Instead, pay increases are more likely to come in the form of one-time bonuses, which may not lead to increased household spending
Japan rolling out digital training programmes to foster tech skills
The educational programmes are slated to start in fiscal 2022, and are designed to improve the employability of Japanese workers.
Japan’s corporations are spending less on wages
Corporations have been spending less of their profits on wages since the end of the bubble economy about 30 years ago, a government study finds.
Job availability in Japan falls for third straight year
The ratio of job availability stood at 1.13 in 2021, indicating that there were 113 openings for every 100 jobseekers, down 0.05 points from 2020.
Japanese businesses repay COVID-19 subsidies amid crackdown
As of January 21, a total of 5.26 trillion yen (US$45.5 billion) had been distributed in employment subsidies.
Japanese workers accept lack of pay hike, says trade union leader
In this year’s wage talks, Rengo is aiming for salary hikes of around 4%, including pay scale raises of around 2% and regular wage hikes.
Japan continues to debate feasibility of wage hike
Contrary to the Prime Minister’s call, the Japan Business Federation says it is difficult to set a blanket level of salary increases for all companies.
Japan’s major business lobby urges firms to raise workers’ pay
A specific target of pay hikes that member firms should adopt was not specified, considering the varying pace of earnings recovery of companies.
Japan minister encourages businesses to telework
The goal of teleworking is to maintain the same level of socio-economic activities in a time when rapid spread of COVID-19 is expected.
Japan’s employers’ body supports wage increase
Companies which are making profits are encouraged to increase workers’ salaries during the upcoming wage negotiations.
More companies implementing 4-day workweek in Japan
Panasonic Corp has joined a small, but growing, number of Japanese companies to offer staff a four-day workweek to encourage better work-life balance.