No longer merely catching up with inflation! Japan's auto workers' union pushes for even larger wage hikes, potentially setting the tone for the 2027 spring wage negotiations

Zhito Finance APP has learned that Japan's largest automotive industry union organization is seeking to go beyond merely demanding wage increases that keep pace with inflation in next year's labor-management negotiations. The head of the organization stated that stronger wage growth is needed to help Japan ensure it has enough skilled workers and to meet the competitive challenge posed by China. Akihiro Kaneko, chairman of the Japan Automobile Workers' Unions Confederation (JAW), said in an interview on Monday: "We are discussing setting a higher standard than in previous years for the 2027 spring wage negotiations."