Rengo, the nation's largest labor organization, decided Tuesday to seek a minimum hourly wage of at least ¥1,100 per hour in annual negotiations with employers starting early next year.
It is the first time Rengo, also known as the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, has set a specific numerical goal for a minimum hourly wage. The nationwide minimum hourly average wage set by prefectural labor bureaus currently stands at ¥901.
In the annual talks slated to begin next month, Rengo will seek to narrow the wage disparity between regular and nonregular workers as well as between small and large firms. Many major firms will decide on the level of their pay hikes in March.