Real wages in January decreased by 0.6% compared to the same month last year, 22nd consecutive month of decline. The average total cash salary, including basic salary and overtime pay, was 282,270 yen per person, an increase of 2%.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said, ``The decline in real wages has slowed down a little, partly because the growth in the consumer price index has slowed. We will closely monitor the impact of the results of the spring labor union negotiations on wage trends and the price situation''