I feel that my wages are too low compared to the wages of my friends who work in the same area. Can I ask for wage increase?

2022/5/17

Japan has a Minimum Wage system. Under the Minimum Wage Law, the government sets minimum mages, and employers are at a minimum required to pay that amount.
The amount of the minimum wage is basically determined by each prefecture, and the amount determined for the prefecture in which the worker’s place of work is located is applied to the worker concerned. In addition, there are minimum wages that apply only to certain industries, but it is necessary to check which industries the minimum wage applies to and the amount, as they vary from prefecture to prefecture. (https://www.mhlw.go.jp/www2/topics/seido/kijunkyoku/minimum/minimum-19.htm)

The wages covered by the Minimum Wage Law are the base pay paid each month. Specifically, the Minimum Wage Law excludes the following six items.

A. Temporary wages (e.g. marriage allowance, etc.)
B. Wages paid for a period exceeding one month (e.g. bonuses, etc.)
C. Wages paid for work beyond the prescribed working hours (e.g. overtime premiums, etc.)
D. Wages paid for work on days other than the prescribed working days (e.g. extra wages for holidays, etc.)
E. Wages paid for work between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. that exceeds the amount of wages calculated for regular working hours (e.g. night pay premiums, etc.)
F. Attendance allowance, commuting allowance and family allowance.

How to check whether your wages are below the Minimum Wage depends on whether you are paid on an hourly, daily, or monthly basis.

(1) If you are paid hourly
　　　Hourly wage ≧Minimum Wage
　　
(2) If you are paid daily
　　　Daily wage ÷ Prescribed working hours per day ≧Minimum Wage
　　
(3) If you are paid monthly
　　　Monthly salary ÷ Average prescribed working hours per month ≧Minimum Wage

If your wage is below the minimum wage or you are not sure about the calculations, please visit your local Labour Standards Inspection Office, labour union or an LLAJ lawyer with your pay slip.