賃上げで事業立て直しか、迫る経済淘汰の現実 気ままなリライト123
Japan's wage growth, a key indicator of national economic vitality, has remained stagnant for the past few decades despite the upward trend in consumer prices. This challenging economic landscape has acted as a catalyst, sparking a drive for change in a widespread hesitancy among both private and public sector organizations, to invest in their workforce. The pressing sense of urgency, akin to standing at a precipice of elimination, is resonating deeply within businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises operating on narrow margins with limited resources. Recognizing the critical juncture, companies and local governments in the Tokyo region and its surrounding areas are either collaborating or independently devising and implementing strategic plans with a commitment to addressing wage stagnation and its impact on the workforce and the broader economy.
Several companies have crafted strategic plans that intertwine productivity enhancement with the financial capabilities to support higher wage costs. TKC, a system engineering firm in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, is one such example. The company has successfully linked its wage increment strategy to gains in productivity. Through the optimization of operations, the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, and the strategic use of automation, TKC has not only improved efficiency but also significantly cut energy expenses. Those savings have been strategically redirected to fund increased wages for the workforce. As the company’s financial performance, TKC reported a consistent rise in net profits across nine successive terms up to September 2023. A portion of those profits was generously distributed among employees, culminating in a fiscal 2023 wage boost of 5,000 yen for each staff member. This increment, when combined with the standard annual pay raise, resulted in an overall wage growth of 5%.
Some organizations are adopting across-the-board wage hikes as a strategy to attract and retain a competitive workforce. The trend is being driven by employees' growing reluctance to accept modest wages in exchange for job stability and security. In this competitive landscape, Choushimaru, a sushi restaurant chain based in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, plans to increase the average wage by a substantial 9.3%, including an unprecedented monthly raise of 30,000 yen for all full-time staff members. This strategy will heighten the wage growth rate to 12.7% for recruits joining in 2024, offering them a more lucrative and rewarding start. The approach also aims to balance the pay scales against increased wages for part-timers, enhancing overall job satisfaction.
Scheduled for July, Yokohama Bank's 3.2% pay raise for all 4,300 employees is underscoring its dedication to remaining a premier choice for potential hires in a fiercely competitive market. The bank's assertive strategy is geared towards vying for talent with other local banks, which are similarly enhancing their pay scales. Factoring in the overall average wage increase of 7%, including the regular annual salary increment, Yokohama Bank's proactive move translates into a pay raise of up to 14.5% for employees who have been with the bank for two to four years. Furthermore, the starting salary for college graduates joining from April 2025 is set to increase from the current 220,000 yen to 260,000 yen, marking a significant uplift.
Municipalities are grappling with the challenge of filling municipal job vacancies, particularly without the lure of higher pay. Oiso Town in Kanagawa Prefecture is taking decisive action to attract and retain municipal workers. The town is pushing beyond the 1.7% maximum monthly pay raise, as recommended by the town personnel committee. By allocating approximately 15 million yen, the town is offering a substantial 2.7% pay increase to around 300 officials starting from January.
Similarly, the Tokyo government is addressing a severe labor shortage, particularly noticeable in the caregiving sector. The labor shortage is widening the gap between the increasing demand for caregiving services and the insufficient supply of workers. To tackle this, the Tokyo government is planning a pay enhancement for caregivers. From fiscal 2024, each caregiver will receive an additional 10,000 to 20,000 yen in their monthly pay. This bold step aims to attract and retain caregiving staff members, considering the higher living costs in Tokyo compared with other regions.
Municipal governments have been using a strategic approach to encourage small and medium-sized companies to raise wages. In Tokyo, the government introduced an enticing subsidy program in fiscal 2023. Companies making a certain level of strides in their total employee pay are eligible for additional capital investment funds. The subsidy rate for capital investment in medium-sized companies increases from 50 % to 75 %. Small companies see a rise from 66 % to 75 %.
This strategy is not just about direct financial support. The Tokyo government envisions those subsidies as a catalyst for broader economic benefits. By investing in areas that significantly affect their profitability, like targeting niche markets that value specialized products or services, companies are able to justify higher prices. This, in turn, supports higher wages, creating a virtuous cycle of investment and revenue growth.
Echoing this approach, Ibaragi Prefecture has been leveraging subsidies to promote wage growth among local businesses since fiscal 2018. Those subsidies are specifically aimed at companies establishing new offices with key functions like research and development. Roles in those higher-value sectors often lead to higher wages, contributing to the overall goal of wage increases across the region.