Workflow
日本劳动时间出现下降
日经中文网·2025-03-08 06:27

Core Viewpoint - Japan's labor time recovery post-COVID-19 is significantly slower compared to Europe and the United States, with a projected average monthly labor time of 136.9 hours in 2024, reflecting a 1.0% decrease from the previous year [1][2]. Group 1: Labor Time Statistics - In 2024, the average monthly labor time in Japan is 136.9 hours, with 126.9 hours being regular working hours and 10.0 hours of overtime [2]. - For full-time employees, the average labor time is 162.2 hours, while for part-time employees, it is only 80.2 hours, indicating a significant disparity [2][4]. - The overall labor time has decreased by 24.7 hours since 1993, with the rise in part-time employment contributing 10.6 hours to this reduction [3]. Group 2: Impact of Labor Reforms - Labor reforms initiated in 2016 to address overwork have led to a reduction in working hours for full-time employees, contributing 8.1 hours to the overall decline in labor time [4]. - Legal restrictions on overtime implemented in 2019 have begun to show effects post-pandemic, particularly in 2023, impacting the ability to meet rising demand [4]. Group 3: Economic Implications - The labor supply in Japan is facing a "ceiling," with a significant increase in wage demands, as the spring labor negotiations in 2024 saw wage increases surpassing 5% for the first time in 33 years [5]. - Rising labor costs, coupled with stagnant productivity growth (0.5% since 2013), are leading to increased unit labor costs, which rose by 4.5% in late 2024 [5]. - The consumer price index (CPI) in January 2025 is expected to rise by 4.0%, indicating inflationary pressures within the economy [5].