Industry minister asks big firms to lift wages to revive economy

Wednesday 10th September, 03:33 PM JST

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Altria at 04:16 PM JST - 10th September

Sorry Toshi, Altria is hoarding cash like a bandit because your buddies threatened to raise the tobacco tax.
boobug at 04:43 PM JST - 10th September

Raise salaries ? Are you nuts ? Japan is still in "defla mode". Bankruptcies continue to surge and capitol spending has all but hit rock bottom. What exactly is the current economic situation according to Nikai ? He obviously doesn't know or is just making noise to appease the masses. In short, all economic indicators show the worst is yet to come !
ai_sumo at 04:44 PM JST - 10th September

memyself- include me as well,I am broke too.Increase the pay for everyone for god sake.

cheers, onlyMe.
serindipity at 04:56 PM JST - 10th September

Make sure to boost the salaries of foreigners working in factories and the educational system in Japan.

Yep! Salaries for ALTs have not increased in ten years and have actually reduced in some cases. Yet, the schools are expecting more work and a more involved role in school admin by these foreign slaves with a voice.
tkoind2 at 05:02 PM JST - 10th September
Hey... what about the rest of us?!?!?!?!? I can spend more money as well as the guy working at a bigger company. Where's my increase?

Want to fix the economy? 1. Deport the LDP to some island and get someone with a clue in charge of things.
1. Stop the culture of institutionalized corruption.
2. Stimulate the economy by encouraging and helping to fund the creation of more small business. Big business are happy to shift their jobs outside Japan and to spend more money in China than here. But small companies will build up their local communities. This is where the money is needed people!!!!
boobug at 05:13 PM JST - 10th September

"Yep! Salaries for ALTs have not increased in ten years and have actually reduced in some cases. Yet, the schools are expecting more work and a more involved role in school admin by these foreign slaves with a voice."

Which is why Japan is no longer an attractive venue for such workers. I suggest you look to Korea or even China. You can get in on the ground floor and make serious money in todays China. Don't be fooled, Japan will continue to decline for a good 3-4 more years.
geronimo2006 at 05:18 PM JST - 10th September

Won't work because he didn't say 'please'. No, really, what a load of nonsense. Instead of actually doing anything real like lowering personal income taxes J-politicians try to raise their own popularity ratings with no responsibilty or effect. Toshihiro Nikai deserves a big pay cut..which could be dished out to the needy.
meiwaku at 06:03 PM JST - 10th September

Increase minimum wage not the wages of those already making enough. It is far too low in this country. And make public education free the same as in other first world countries.(What is with paying for highschool anyway?) That way maybe families can spend more to help the economic slump.
Richard_III at 06:05 PM JST - 10th September

This guy is a permanent politico with no experience other than in the political world - i.e. basically he's a bit of a freeloader who's probably got away without doing any real productive work throughout his career.

http://www.jimin.jp/jimin/english/e-staff/nikai-to.html

Anyway, it would be nice if big companies responded to his rather request, I doubt very much that it will be heeded.
bamboohat at 08:50 PM JST - 10th September

Jeeze this fools creds look horrible (above link from R III). He has NO IDEA how the world works. Are all Japans politocs like him?
pathat at 10:29 PM JST - 10th September

"But Mitarai also reminded Nikai that many leading Japanese companies are struggling with rising resource prices and tougher international competition."

And also a lack of skilled Japanese to do the job at quite a few leading companies.

I go to two large companies these days-one that specializes in semiconductors, the other a well-known electronics manufacturer-and I can tell you that the last thing they are thinking about right now is raising wages for their many thousands of employees in Japan.
hoserfella at 11:15 PM JST - 10th September

until the Japanese workforce stop doing their sheep imitation and demand better working wages and conditions, nothing will happen. Does anyone really think that Japanese corporations will do this out of the goodness of their hearts?
usaexpat at 11:27 PM JST - 10th September

A raise in wages would translate into more spending on consumer goods by the public but it's not going to happen. Shareholders prefer cost cutting to cost increases so all you workers will be getting..... drum roll please..... NOTHING
KitsuneYoukai at 11:54 PM JST - 10th September

It's a start; hope somone is listening!!!!
electric2004 at 12:03 AM JST - 11th September

Some14some:

Actually here "nikai" is translated to "2nd floor". Maybe this (the backbencher area) is where he belongs.