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NHK
7 hours ago
- NHK
Japan minimum wage could top 1,000 yen across country
A Japanese government panel has agreed to a record increase in the minimum wage. The hourly rate is likely to top 1,000 yen, or about 6.80 dollars, across the country. A labor ministry panel on Monday met with representatives of labor and management. The panel recommended a minimum wage for each prefecture. They agreed to increases in the current fiscal year that bring the average hourly rate up by 63 yen to 1,118 yen, or about 7.60 dollars. Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru said he would do his utmost to realize wage increases for the people, and show that this is the central pillar of growth strategies. Ishiba added the government will continue to implement all possible policies to raise wages. The increase is larger than last fiscal year's, and exceeds 60 yen for the first time. This is the fourth fiscal year in a row that the increase has set a new record. The government aims to increase the national average minimum wage to 1,500 yen, or about 10 dollars, by the end of fiscal 2029. That would mean a jump from the current level of at least 445 yen. The minimums agreed to by the panel will be finalized after management and labor unions hold talks with advisory panels and prefectural labor bureaus.


NHK
13 hours ago
- NHK
Ishiba to urge Trump to sign order to cut auto tariffs
Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru says he will do all he can to urge US President Donald Trump to quickly sign an executive order to cut auto tariffs, following last month's agreement between the two countries. The Lower House budget committee debated the bilateral tariff agreement and other issues on Monday, with Ishiba and Japan's top tariff negotiator, Akazawa Ryosei, in attendance. Yamashita Takashi, former justice minister of the main governing Liberal Democratic Party, said the principle of investment rather than tariffs has become the standard for Trump's tariff measures. He cited an agreement between the US and the European Union as one example. Yamashita asked Ishiba to explain the significance of the Japan-US deal. The prime minister said both countries will bring their technology, labor forces and capital together to offer better things to the world, with jobs created in the US and no job losses in Japan. He said it will be a "win-win relationship." Ishiba said some people think that implementing the agreement will be more difficult than reaching it. He asked for continued support. Yamashita referred to an agreement between the ruling and opposition blocs to abolish the provisional gasoline tax rate this year. He asked Ishiba whether he ordered the move as the LDP leader. Ishiba said he did, adding that the government will do all it can to implement the agreement on the tax rate sincerely, steadily and swiftly. The leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Noda Yoshihiko, said a document was created for the 2019 Japan-US trade agreement, but it was effectively scrapped. He said the Trump administration may stretch the interpretation of the recent bilateral agreement and "keep ripping Japan off" if a document is not produced. Ishiba said the US president is the type of person who changes rules. He said his major concern is that drawing up a document would lead to a delay in tariff cuts. Ishiba said Trump should focus on issuing an executive order to cut auto tariffs, which is most important for national interests. He said he decided not to draw up a document after carefully considering what will be best for Japan. Noda also took up the topic of political reform. He said his party has been calling for banning donations from companies and organizations. Noda said the largest force and the second largest force in the Diet should sincerely discuss the matter, reach a conclusion and ask for support from other parties. He expressed hope that Ishiba will hold talks on the issue with him rather than leaving it to people at the working level to reach an agreement. Ishiba said he will try to discuss essential issues with Noda and share the results with other parties to ensure fairness and prevent money from swaying politics. Ishiba also referred to a message he intends to issue to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two. He said that regardless of the format, it is necessary to release the message to prevent memories from fading and war from breaking out again. Ishiba said he has strong feelings about the issue and will try to draw up a better message that reflects a range of views.


NHK
14 hours ago
- NHK
Fired U.S. federal workers may be prey of China
Thousands of US federal workers laid off by President Trump's government may be at risk for recruitment by fake Chinese firms.