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. The estimated increase for Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures in 2025 will also be 63 yen. In Aichi’s case, the minimum wage will rise from the current 1077 yen to 1140 yen.
A rice ball shop in Meito Ward, Nagoya City, is deeply concerned about the minimum wage hike.
Currently, the hourly wage for its five part-time workers is 1077 yen, the same as Aichi’s minimum wage. The shop just raised wages last year. As for further increases, the part-time workers say…
(Part-time worker)
“Since I want to buy things with my own money, a wage increase is very welcome from a worker’s perspective.”
However, the shop’s management feels differently…
(Employee in charge of part-time staff)
“Being a rice ball shop, the steep rise in rice prices has hurt us the most.”
The shop uses 150 kg of rice per month. With rice prices continuing to soar, another wage hike would deal a heavy blow.
(Employee in charge of part-time staff)
“Money only flows out, so we’re barely scraping by. As the ones paying salaries, it’s tough, but I guess it can’t be helped.”
The shop is making efforts to cut costs and allocate funds to wages, such as effectively using leftover ingredients from affiliated izakayas.
(Employee in charge of part-time staff)
“Budgeting is difficult. We’re trying our best to minimize food waste through careful planning.”
