Okayama Lawyers Association Calls for Minimum Wage Increase to 1500 yen

The Okayama Bar Association, led by President Sasaki Kiyoharu, has urged the Central Minimum Wage Council to raise the regional minimum wage substantially, targeting at least ¥1,500 per hour by the 2020s. The association argues that the current ¥1,047 hourly rate yields a monthly income of ¥184,272 for full‑time workers, far below the standard of living costs in Okayama City, which require ¥173,550‑¥231,324 depending on household size. It highlights a ¥203 wage gap between the highest regional rate (Tokyo, ¥1,226) and the lowest (Kochi, Miyazaki, Okinawa, ¥1,023) and warns that persistent disparities risk further out‑migration of young workers from Okayama.

The statement also calls for nationwide uniform minimum‑wage legislation and additional support for small‑businesses, such as improved employment‑improvement subsidies, social‑insurance reductions, and tax relief. It references prior government pledges to reach ¥1,500 by the mid‑2030s, noting that recent political leaders have rolled back firm targets. The association concludes that a significant wage hike is essential for workers’ stable livelihoods and regional economic revitalisation.