Market Updates
Japan's Real Wages Dropped Fourth Consecutive Month in April
Akira Ito
05 Jun, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's real wages declined for the fourth consecutive month, complicating the Bank of Japan's efforts to normalize interest rates.
Japan's stock market indexes turned lower and erased gains of the previous session.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 0.5%, and the Topix index decreased more than 1% amid worries about a slower pace of wage growth.
Nominal wages rose at a 2.3% annual pace in April, matching the rate in the previous month, according to data released by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.
Total cash earnings, including overtime, rose 2.3% to 302,453 yen per worker, advancing for the 40th month in a row.
Base pay for workers at businesses with five or more employees increased 2.2% to 269.325 yen, accelerating from a 1.4% increase in March and advancing for the 42nd consecutive month.
Real wages, adjusted for inflation, declined by 1.8%, marking the fourth consecutive month of decrease, highlighting challenges posed by persistent elevated inflation.
The anemic wage growth complicates the Bank of Japan's efforts to raise rates to more normal levels, as stagnant wages may affect broader economic recovery.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.5% to 37,546.21, and the broader Topix index dropped 1.1% to 2,756.08.
Sony Group Corp. declined 1.9% to ¥3,777.0, Nintendo Co. Ltd. decreased 2.1% to ¥11,840.0, and IHI Corp. fell 4.3% to ¥15,230.0.
Seven & I Holdings decreased 0.9% to ¥2,212.0, Aeon Company declined 1.2% to ¥4,310.0, and Fast Retailing dropped 0.4% to ¥48,890.0.
Annual Returns
| Company | Ticker | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 |
|---|
Earnings
| Company | Ticker | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 |
|---|