News analysis

Will wages in Japan keep up with climbing inflation?

Large companies promise headline-grabbing hikes, but it is hard for SMEs to follow suit

Japan saw wages stagnating as it dramatically lost ground due to a deflationary mindset and low productivity. PHOTO: REUTERS
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TOKYO - “Why is Japan such a difficult and hopeless country to work in?”

This was the question posed by an unnamed 29-year-old aspiring sushi chef in Sapporo to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, in an eight-part series in January featuring youth voices.

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