# Japan’s real wages rise for ninth month in September, backing BOJ rate hike

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/japans-real-wages-rise-for-ninth-month-in-september-backing-boj-rate-hike/
- Published: 2026-11-05T23:32:29+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T00:52:52+00:00
- Original publisher: CNA (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/japans-real-wages-rise-ninth-month-in-september-backing-boj-rate-hike-6529306
- Topics: Asia, World

## Key points

- Real wages rose 2.2 per cent in September.
- Cash earnings reached their fastest growth since 1997.
- Analysts see a possible BOJ rate rise next month.

## Summary

Japan’s inflation-adjusted wages rose for a ninth straight month in September, strengthening the case for the Bank of Japan to continue raising interest rates. The figures suggest that pay growth is holding up even as prices rise, a key consideration for the central bank.

Real wages increased 2.2 per cent year on year, up from a revised 1.6 per cent in August. Average cash earnings rose 4.6 per cent to 311,409 yen, their fastest annual increase since January 1997; regular pay grew 3.7 per cent. The ministry’s inflation measure accelerated to 2.4 per cent, while analysts expect the next rate rise could come as soon as December.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.