Japan Summer Bonuses Reach Record 1.04 Million Yen

Aug 07, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The average summer bonus paid by major Japanese companies rose above 1 million yen for the first time, reaching a record 1,042,537 yen as strong corporate earnings and substantial wage increases lifted employee compensation.

The Japan Business Federation, known as Keidanren, released its final survey results covering 163 major companies, showing that the average bonus increased 7.04% from the previous year.

The figure was the highest since comparable records began in 1981.

Average bonuses at manufacturers rose 6.23% from the previous year to 1,093,629 yen, while payments at nonmanufacturing companies increased 8.96% to 941,145 yen.

Annual spring wage negotiations resulted in pay increases exceeding 5% for a third consecutive year as labor unions sought compensation for rising prices and employers aimed to secure workers.

The higher settlements are believed to have boosted summer bonuses because the payments are generally calculated based on employees' basic salaries.

Source: TBS

Eight Confirmed Dead in Chiba Floods

The death toll from the record-breaking heavy rain in Chiba Prefecture has risen to eight, with one person still missing and damage reported to at least 170 homes as flooding, landslides, water outages and transport disruptions continued on August 14.

Aso Volcano Eruption Alert Level Raised to 3 in Kumamoto

Japan's weather agency raised the volcanic alert level for Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture from Level 2 to Level 3 on August 14 after volcanic tremors strengthened and gas emissions increased sharply, warning people to stay away from areas within about 2 kilometers of the Nakadake No. 1 crater.

Typhoon No. 17 Weakens as It Tracks East Over Pacific

Typhoon No. 17 was moving east near Minamitorishima on August 14 and is expected to continue weakening before becoming a tropical depression by August 16.

Google Opens Flagship Store in Tokyo's Omotesando

Google opened its first flagship store in Japan in Tokyo's Omotesando district at 2 p.m. on August 13, marking the company's first flagship retail location outside the United States.

Jellyfish-Like Red Glow Lights Up Kanagawa

A mysterious red light stretching vertically across the night sky over Kanagawa Prefecture has been identified as a rare "sprite," a brief luminous phenomenon that occurs high above thunderclouds at roughly the same time as powerful lightning strikes.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Nikkei Extends Rally as TOPIX Hits Fresh High

Tokyo stocks rose on August 14, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 68,714, up 0.59%, as investors continued buying semiconductor, artificial intelligence and earnings-backed shares, while the broader TOPIX gained 0.51% to 4,197 and reached another record high.

Rakuten Securities Prepares for Junior NISA Launch

Rakuten Securities held an event for parents and children at the Tokyo Stock Exchange on August 13 to teach families about building assets ahead of the launch of the new Junior NISA program in January 2027.

Google Opens Flagship Store in Tokyo's Omotesando

Google opened its first flagship store in Japan in Tokyo's Omotesando district at 2 p.m. on August 13, marking the company's first flagship retail location outside the United States.

Nikkei Climbs as Chip Rally Lifts TOPIX to Record High

Tokyo stocks rose on August 13, with the Nikkei 225 advancing to 68,601.21, up 1.6%, as semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares followed Wall Street higher, while the broader TOPIX climbed to a record high despite continued concern over wholesale inflation, the yen and Bank of Japan rate-hike expectations.

Former Toyota President Hiroshi Okuda Dies at 93

Hiroshi Okuda, a former president of Toyota Motor who helped lay the foundation for the automaker's emergence as one of the world's leading manufacturers, died of old age on August 8 at the age of 93.

Nikkei Stalls Near 67,000 as Oil and Yen Risks Offset Financial Gains

Tokyo stocks ended nearly unchanged on August 12, with the Nikkei 225 at 66,988.82, as gains in energy and financial shares offset weakness in electronics and pharmaceuticals while investors weighed higher crude oil prices, a weaker yen and growing expectations for another Bank of Japan rate increase.

Sony and TSMC Invest 1 Trillion Yen in Next-Generation Sensors

Sony Group and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. announced on August 11 that they have formally agreed to jointly produce next-generation image sensors, with total investment expected to reach about 1 trillion yen and mass production scheduled to begin in Kumamoto Prefecture in 2029.

Men's Parasols and Air Conditioner Sales Rise

Japan's street-level economic sentiment improved for a third consecutive month in July, supported by sharply hotter weather after the end of the rainy season and the start of the summer vacation period, with stronger sales of products including men's parasols and air conditioners.

< 2 3 4 5 >