Japan sets minimum wages per prefecture, revised every October. The national weighted average has climbed past the ¥1,100/hour mark in recent revisions, with Tokyo highest and rural prefectures lower — and the rate applies to every worker in the prefecture, whatever their nationality or visa.
Key facts
- Set by
- Prefecture, revised each October
- National average
- ¥1,121/h (Oct 2025)
- Highest
- Tokyo (¥1,226)
- Applies to
- All workers incl. part-time
- Authority
- MHLW / labor bureaus
How the system works
Each prefecture’s minimum hourly wage is recommended by a tripartite council and takes effect in October. The spread matters: since the October 2025 revision the national weighted average is ¥1,121, with Tokyo at the top (¥1,226) and regional prefectures roughly ¥1,020–1,100; the next revision takes effect in October 2026. A handful of industries also carry sector-specific minimums slightly above the regional floor.
Checking your own pay in three steps
- Find your prefecture’s current rate on the MHLW table.
- Compute your real hourly base — monthly base pay ÷ actual scheduled hours, excluding commute allowance and overtime premiums. Your contract’s written conditions give the inputs.
- Compare, including deductions — dormitory or meal deductions that drive the net below minimum are the classic violation pattern in factory and agricultural work.
If you are below it
Underpayment of minimum wage is a criminal violation, not a negotiation topic. Labor standards offices accept anonymous reports in multiple languages, back pay can be claimed retroactively, and your visa status is irrelevant to the claim. Workers who report are also protected against retaliatory dismissal — and if the workplace sours anyway, the job-change guide covers your options.
Japanese you will use on this page (tap ▶)
| シフトを代わってもらえますか。 Shifuto o kawatte moraemasu ka. Could you cover my shift? | |
| 八千円お預かりします。 Hassen-en oazukari shimasu. Out of 8,000 yen. | |
| 一万三千五百円です。 Ichiman sanzen gohyaku-en desu. That is 13,500 yen. | |
| すみません、もう一度お願いします。 Sumimasen, mō ichido onegai shimasu. Sorry, could you say that once more? | |
| 体調が悪いので、今日は休ませてください。 Taichō ga warui node, kyō wa yasumasete kudasai. I am not feeling well; please let me take today off. |
Audio synthesized with VOICEVOX:Meimei Himari at standard pace for shadowing; real conversations run faster and carry accents.
Common mistakes & warnings
- Exact figures change every October — always confirm your prefecture's current rate on MHLW's minimum wage page rather than trusting any article, including this one.
- The minimum is calculated on base pay — employers cannot count commuting allowance or overtime premiums toward it.
- Piece-rate and "training period" wages must still average out above the minimum per hour worked. A lower training wage is legal only within strict limits.
Frequently asked questions
Does the minimum wage apply to foreign students working part-time?
Fully. The 28-hour visa cap limits hours, not the wage — student part-timers in Tokyo earn the same legal minimum as anyone else.
My dormitory and meals are deducted — is that legal?
Deductions for housing and meals are allowed only under agreements and reasonable actual-cost limits. Deductions that push effective hourly pay below the minimum are a labor-office matter.
How do regional differences interact with cost of living?
Roughly — Tokyo's higher minimum tracks its higher rent. For workers in minimum-wage-adjacent jobs, a lower-rent city at a slightly lower wage often nets out ahead; compare city budgets on our cost-of-living pages.
Is the minimum wage a lot in US dollars?
The ¥1,121 national average is roughly US$7–8 an hour depending on the exchange rate. Japan sets wages only in yen — the dollar figure moves with the currency, your rent and groceries do not.
Official sources
- MHLW — regional minimum wages (2026-07-17)
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change; always confirm details with the official sources listed above before making decisions.