Rising labour costs a top threat to Japanese firms in Asia

The majority of Japanese firms operating in Asia consider rising labour costs and the shortage of skilled labour as their top concerns, according to a survey by the Japan National Newspaper Association conducted from 26 November to 9 December, last year.

Some 630 Japanese companies in East Asia, Southeast Asia, India and Australia, were polled.

Of those, 479 cited labour risks as the largest threat – about 76% of all respondents.

The respondents could choose from 13 risk factors, such as taxes and tariffs, political stability and security, among others.

Asian countries in which labour concerns were the highest included Thailand at 86%; South Korea at 84%; Indonesia at 83%, and 80% for Australia, Malaysia and Vietnam.