Two years ago, the national average minimum wage exceeded 1000 yen per hour. This time, with a record increase of 63 yen, it has risen to 1118 yen. We interviewed a restaurant about their reaction.
“Hikozo,” located in Naka Ward, Nagoya, was established in 1981. Specializing in set meals during the day and operating as an izakaya at night, the restaurant is run by the Naganuma couple and six part-time staff.
Q. What are your thoughts on the minimum wage increase?
“While it’s unavoidable that wages rise to support people’s livelihoods, restaurants are also facing a tough situation as the cost of all ingredients has been increasing.”
Currently, the shop’s hourly wage is 1100 yen, which is 23 yen higher than Aichi Prefecture’s minimum wage of 1077 yen. Their lunch set meals are priced reasonably at 950–1000 yen.
Q. What do you think about the lunch price of 950–1000 yen?
“It’s cheap.”
“I think they’re working hard.”
Customers say the prices are “almost too low,” but this is only possible due to the business’s efforts.
