What Is the Minimum Wage?
The minimum wage is the lowest amount that employers are legally required to pay their workers. In Japan, it is set by law, and paying below this level is not permitted.
The minimum wage applies to all workers—not only full-time employees, but also part-time staff, temporary workers, and foreign workers.
In Japan, there are two main types of minimum wage:
- Regional minimum wage: Set by each prefecture
- Specific (industry-based) minimum wage: Applied to certain industries
In most cases, the regional minimum wage is what applies in everyday situations.
How Has Japan’s Minimum Wage Changed Over the Past 10 Years?
Japan’s minimum wage has increased significantly over the past decade, driven by labor shortages and government-led wage growth policies.
For example, the national average minimum wage has changed as follows (Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare):
- 2015: approx. ¥798
- 2020: approx. ¥902
- 2023: approx. ¥1,004
- 2024: approx. ¥1,055
- 2025: approx. ¥1,121 (latest data)
This represents an increase of over ¥300 in 10 years, with growth accelerating in recent years.
This is also an important point for foreign workers in Japan. Rising minimum wages can lead to higher income and greater financial stability.
However, wage growth has not fully kept pace with rising living costs.
There are also regional differences in wage levels. Urban areas tend to offer higher wages, while rural areas are generally lower.
This trend is commonly seen in many countries.
Minimum Wage by Prefecture (2025)
Minimum wages in Japan vary by prefecture. Below is a list of hourly minimum wages as of 2025.
Ten years ago, the highest minimum wage was ¥907 (Tokyo), but it has risen to ¥1,226 in 2025.
Meanwhile, the lowest wage increased from ¥693 (e.g., Tottori) to ¥1,023 (e.g., Kochi).
All prefectures have now exceeded ¥1,000 per hour.
The gap between the highest and lowest wages has also narrowed slightly—from ¥214 to ¥203 over the past decade.
| Prefecture | Hourly Minimum Wage (JPY) |
|---|---|
| Hokkaido | 1,075 |
| Aomori | 1,029 |
| Iwate | 1,031 |
| Miyagi | 1,038 |
| Akita | 1,031 |
| Yamagata | 1,032 |
| Fukushima | 1,033 |
| Ibaraki | 1,074 |
| Tochigi | 1,068 |
| Gunma | 1,063 |
| Saitama | 1,141 |
| Chiba | 1,140 |
| Tokyo | 1,226 |
| Kanagawa | 1,225 |
| Niigata | 1,050 |
| Toyama | 1,062 |
| Ishikawa | 1,054 |
| Fukui | 1,053 |
| Yamanashi | 1,052 |
| Nagano | 1,061 |
| Gifu | 1,065 |
| Shizuoka | 1,097 |
| Aichi | 1,140 |
| Mie | 1,087 |
| Shiga | 1,080 |
| Kyoto | 1,122 |
| Osaka | 1,177 |
| Hyogo | 1,116 |
| Nara | 1,051 |
| Wakayama | 1,045 |
| Tottori | 1,030 |
| Shimane | 1,033 |
| Okayama | 1,047 |
| Hiroshima | 1,085 |
| Yamaguchi | 1,043 |
| Tokushima | 1,046 |
| Kagawa | 1,036 |
| Ehime | 1,033 |
| Kochi | 1,023 |
| Fukuoka | 1,057 |
| Saga | 1,030 |
| Nagasaki | 1,031 |
| Kumamoto | 1,034 |
| Oita | 1,035 |
| Miyazaki | 1,023 |
| Kagoshima | 1,026 |
| Okinawa | 1,023 |
| National Weighted Average | 1,121 |
Can You Live on ¥1,121 per Hour?
So, can you actually live on Japan’s average minimum wage of ¥1,121?
While living costs vary depending on the region, this can serve as a general benchmark.
If you earn ¥1,121 per hour and work 160 hours per month (8 hours × 20 days), your monthly income would be ¥179,360.
Estimated monthly expenses might look like this:
Without cutting essential expenses like rent or food, it leaves very little room for healthcare or emergencies.
| Item | Monthly Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Income | ¥179,360 | |
| Estimated expenses below | ||
| Deductions (Taxes & Social Insurance) | ¥40,000 | 22% |
| Rent | ¥70,000 | 39% |
| Food | ¥20,000 | 11% |
| Transportation Expenses | ¥15,000 | 8% |
| Utilities (Water, Electricity, Gas) | ¥12,000 | 7% |
| Daily Necessities | ¥5,000 | 3% |
| Clothing & Personal Care | ¥5,000 | 3% |
| Communication (Phone/Internet) | ¥8,000 | 4% |
| Remaining (Savings / Leisure) | ¥4,360 | 2% |
Conclusion
Although the minimum wage has exceeded ¥1,000, it is still difficult to maintain a stable standard of living on this income alone.
As a result, many job listings offer higher hourly wages—typically around ¥1,300.
According to Recruit Group (March 2026), the average hourly wage for part-time jobs in the three major metropolitan areas (Tokyo, Tokai, and Kansai) is ¥1,323.
Nationwide, the average is ¥1,337 (Dip Corp., February 2026).
The minimum wage is a fundamental rule when working in Japan. For foreign workers in particular, it serves as an important benchmark to evaluate whether their pay is fair.
The average wage offered in job listings is also a useful reference.
Make sure that the offered wage exceeds the legal minimum—and ideally, that it aligns with the market average.
So, is Japan’s minimum wage really enough to live on?
That depends on where you live—and how you manage your expenses.
By Hajime Saito
X: @hajimesaitoYJC
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