日本学欧盟加薪，不为高关税所动，力争连续四年大幅加薪

Core Points - The article discusses the challenges faced by countries in setting wage standards amid rising global prices, highlighting a reform in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, which aims to link minimum wage to the median wage of full-time workers at a ratio of 60% [1][3] - The reform is seen as a step towards addressing income disparity in Japan, but questions remain about its effectiveness and implications for similar challenges in China [1][14] Summary by Sections Minimum Wage Reform in Kochi - Kochi Prefecture plans to raise its minimum wage from 952 yen to 1023 yen per hour starting December 1, 2024, which is still the lowest in Japan [3] - The reform introduces a new standard for minimum wage based on 60% of the median wage, a concept derived from the EU's minimum wage directive [3][5] Economic Context - Japan's average minimum wage will increase from 1055 yen to 1121 yen in 2024, reflecting a 6.3% rise, driven by workers' demands for income security [1][5] - The median hourly wage for full-time workers in Kochi is 1822 yen, suggesting a target minimum wage of 1093 yen, indicating a phased approach to reach this goal [5] Challenges for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) - Japan's SMEs, which make up 99.7% of all businesses and employ about 70% of the workforce, face pressure from rising labor costs due to the minimum wage increase [9] - Concerns exist that a rapid increase to 1093 yen could raise labor costs by approximately 10%, potentially leading to reduced hiring or business closures [9][11] Policy Implications - The article emphasizes the need for supportive policies for SMEs, such as tax rebates and training subsidies, to mitigate the impact of wage increases [14] - It highlights the importance of establishing independent wage monitoring to avoid excessive political interference in wage setting [14] Lessons for China - China's minimum wage standards are generally lower than international norms, with most regions between 35% to 50% of average wages [13] - The article suggests that China could adopt a similar approach to Kochi's reform by linking minimum wage to local median wages and providing support for SMEs to balance labor rights and business costs [13][14] Conclusion - The reform in Kochi serves as a potential model for wage setting that prioritizes data-driven decisions over political maneuvering, which could enhance economic vitality and social equity [16]