Ichida emphasizes need to increase minimum wage to more than 1,000 yen

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Ichida emphasizes need to increase minimum wage to more than 1,000 yen

On a pre-election debate program broadcast by Nippon Television Network on August 15, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi emphasized the need to raise the minimum wage to 1,000 yen or more along with government subsidies extended to small- and medium-sized companies.

The moderator pointed out that in Japan, the national average minimum wage is 703 yen, which is lower than any European country.

Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Hosoda Hiroyuki showed reluctance to raise the minimum wage on the grounds that such a raise will affect small- and medium-sized businesses.

Ichida pointed out that Hosoda's remark contradicted the election policy platform of the LDP, saying, "In its election manifesto, the LDP promises to increase each annual household income by one million yen within a decade. In order to do so, it should be necessary to increase the minimum wage at least by 500 yen."

Ichida stated that it is necessary to increase small- and medium-sized companies' ability to pay more than 1,000 yen in hourly minimum wages using a subsidy program and by preventing large companies from harshly cutting unit prices for supplies by sub-contractors, and that a 1,000-yen hourly minimum wage is half of Japan's average wage and is far from high.

In addition, Ichida stressed, "A minimum wage increase will benefit local economies and will contribute to small- and medium-sized companies' prosperity because it will encourage people to spend more for their daily necessities. A minimum wage increase is the key to improving businesses and economy overall."

Democratic Party of Japan Deputy Secretary General Noda Yoshihiko said, "It will be difficult to increase the minimum wage to 1,000 yen right now. We aim to raise it to 800 yen for the present."

- Akahata, August 16, 2009