Japan’s Wages Increase Again

Japanese wage earners’ total cash earnings rose 0.8 percent in December from a year earlier, government data showed on Wednesday, a second straight month of gains and the fastest climb in nearly two years – a sign of a gradual pickup in salaries.

Overtime pay, a barometer of strength in corporate activity, rose 4.6 percent in the year to December, up for a ninth consecutive month, labor ministry data showed.

Reflecting improved corporate earnings on the back of the government’s reflationary policies, special payments grew 1.4 percent from a year earlier, it showed, suggesting that winter bonuses may have increased for the first time in five years.

CNBC

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