The real wage per worker last year decreased by 2.5% compared to the previous year. Although total cash wages increased, they were unable to keep up with the rise in prices.
This is the second year in a row that real wages have been lower than the preceding year. The rate of increase in prices was 3.8%, the highest level in 42 years, and real wages, which reflect price changes, decreased by2.5%. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said, ``It seems that the total salary has been raised due to last year's spring labor union, which resulted in the first wage increase in 30 years"