Rengo is Japan’s largest labour union group and have announced that they would be seeking wage hikes of 5% or more in fiscal year 2026. That would see them try to target another bumper wage hike for a third year running. However, the big challenge this time around is that firms will have more difficulties in delivering that amid lower corporate profits from US tariffs. So, it’s going to be a challenge to see how they can keep up the wage momentum.
As a reminder, the figure in 2023 was 3.80%. In 2024, it was 5.10%. And in 2025, it was 5.25% – watered down from the initial figure of 5.46%.
This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.