Group 1 - Despite pressures from U.S. tariffs, early signs from Japan's annual wage negotiations indicate a significant increase in salaries is expected, supporting the Bank of Japan's potential interest rate hikes [1][2] - The largest labor union in Japan, Rengo, plans to seek salary increases of 5% or more in the 2026 negotiations, following a similar request in 2025 that resulted in the largest wage hike in 34 years [1][2] - The manufacturing sector remains robust, with a Reuters survey showing a manufacturing confidence index at a near four-year high, supported by a weak yen and stable orders [2][3] Group 2 - A survey by the Japan Center for Economic Research predicts an average salary increase of 4.88% for next year, slightly higher than the previous year's expectation, with actual increases reaching 5.52% this year [3] - The Japanese government, under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is likely to pressure companies to raise wages, aiming for salary increases that outpace inflation [4] - The Bank of Japan is closely monitoring wage data and feedback from its branches to assess the feasibility and timing of interest rate hikes, with expectations of a potential increase in December [5][6]