Tokyo, Sept. 29 (Jiji Press)–The average wage for workers at private-sector companies in Japan rose 1.9 pct from the previous year to a record 4.87 million yen in 2025, a survey by the National Tax Agency showed Tuesday. The average increased for the fifth consecutive year. Bonuses grew for the second consecutive year, averaging about 750,000 yen. The rosy results apparently reflect growing moves to raise wages across industries. The average wage rose 1.7 pct to a record 5.97 million yen for men and 2.6 pct to 3.42 million yen for women, also an all-time high. Regular employees earned an average of 5.59 million yen, up 2.6 pct, while nonregular employees, including part-time workers, 2.1 million yen, up 1.6 pct. By industry, the highest average was 8.54 million yen at electricity, gas and water suppliers, followed by 7.25 million yen at finance and insurance firms, and 6.81 million yen at information and communications companies. The lowest was 2.75 million yen at the accommodation and dining services sector, followed by 4.24 million yen at the medical care and welfare sector, and 4.82 million yen at the transportation and postal services industry. All these sectors saw year-on-year drops in average wage. The total number of wage earners in the private sector increased by 20,000 from 2024 to 60.8 million, and their total wages rose 2.6 pct to 247,647.9 billion yen, with income tax withheld amounting to 13,126.2 billion yen. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
