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
- ~¥1,100/h (recent revision)
- Highest
- Tokyo (~¥1,200s)
- 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: Tokyo sits at the top (in the ¥1,200s after recent revisions), regional prefectures roughly ¥950–1,100. 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.
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.
Official sources
- MHLW — regional minimum wages (2026-07-16)
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.