Check your payslip this month: if your hourly rate in Tokyo is below ¥1,280, your employer is now breaking the law. The Tokyo Labor Bureau announced on September 1, 2026 that the capital’s minimum wage rises by ¥54, from ¥1,226 to ¥1,280 an hour, effective October 1, 2026, and it covers all workers at all establishments in Tokyo, including dispatched workers. At least 15 prefectures, including Osaka and Tokyo, moved on the same date, so this is a nationwide pay reset rather than a Tokyo curiosity. Here is what the raise is worth and what to do if your pay is short.
📋 Quick Navigation: The Tokyo number · What it is worth · Other prefectures · If your pay is below it · FAQ
🤝 Working in Japan and want better leads?
TIFE events are where many members hear about jobs, side gigs and employers that treat foreign staff fairly. Come meet people.
See TIFE Events →The Tokyo number
- New minimum wage: ¥1,280 per hour
- Previous: ¥1,226 per hour
- Increase: ¥54
- Effective: October 1, 2026
- Process: the Tokyo Regional Minimum Wage Council recommended the ¥54 increase on August 5, and the Tokyo Labor Bureau Director announced the decision on September 1.
The rule applies to the workplace, not the worker’s nationality or visa. It covers all workers at all business establishments in Tokyo, including dispatched workers, which means part-timers, students working with permission, and full-timers paid hourly are all protected by the same floor.
What ¥54 an hour is actually worth
| Scenario | At ¥1,226 | At ¥1,280 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time floor: 8 hrs × 22 days (176 hrs/month) | ¥215,776 | ¥225,280 | +¥9,504 |
| Student part-time: 28 hrs a week | ¥34,328 | ¥35,840 | +¥1,512 per week |
These are gross figures calculated from the hourly rate before tax and social insurance, and the 28-hour line assumes the standard weekly limit for students with work permission. Check the conditions on your own permission before relying on it.
💬 Compare notes with 35,000+ international residents
Not sure if your pay and contract are normal for Tokyo? Members share real numbers, workplaces and tips in the TIFE community.
Become a TIFE Member →Other prefectures moved too
Bloomberg Tax reports that 15 prefectures, including Osaka and Tokyo, started their 2026-27 increases on October 1. Examples from that report:
- Aichi: ¥1,140 to ¥1,195
- Chiba: ¥1,140 to ¥1,195
- Hokkaido: ¥1,075 to ¥1,131
- Hyogo: ¥1,116 to ¥1,172
The national guidance recommended increases of ¥54 for the top-tier A group and ¥56 for the B and C groups, and at least 17 prefectures set their wage 1 to 4 yen above the recommendation. Effective dates are not uniform: Akita’s ¥59 increase takes effect on October 14, for example, and other prefectures phase in later, so if you work outside Tokyo, check your own prefectural labor bureau’s notice. The government’s old goal of a ¥1,500 national average in the 2020s has reportedly been effectively postponed.
If your pay is below the minimum
- Check the hourly equivalent. Divide your monthly pay by your actual monthly working hours. Salaries with built-in overtime pay often hide a low base rate.
- Ask your employer in writing first. A polite message citing the Tokyo Labor Bureau announcement resolves many cases.
- Escalate to the labor authorities. The local Labor Standards Inspection Office handles complaints, and Tokyo’s International Residents Support Center can point you to multilingual help. See our guide to Tokyo’s free support center.
For wider context on pay for foreign residents, see our Japan Salary and Wage Increases 2026 guide and, if you are choosing a visa that allows work, our Japan Work Visa 2026 guide.
Tokyo minimum wage 2026 FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Tokyo in 2026? ¥1,280 per hour, up ¥54 from ¥1,226.
When does the new Tokyo minimum wage start? October 1, 2026.
Does the Tokyo minimum wage apply to foreign workers? Yes. It applies to all workers at all business establishments in Tokyo, including dispatched workers, regardless of nationality.
Did other prefectures raise their minimum wage too? Yes. Bloomberg Tax reports that 15 prefectures, including Osaka and Tokyo, started increases on October 1, 2026, and other prefectures take effect on later dates.
How much more is ¥1,280 than the old rate for a full-time worker? About ¥9,504 more per month gross, based on 176 working hours a month.
What should I do if my employer pays less than the minimum wage? Raise it with your employer in writing and, if that fails, contact your local Labor Standards Inspection Office.
Quick reference
- Tokyo: ¥1,280/hour from October 1, 2026 (was ¥1,226)
- Covers: all workers at all Tokyo establishments, including dispatched workers
- Same-day movers: 15 prefectures including Osaka
- Other dates: vary by prefecture (Akita October 14)
- Related: Japan Salary 2026 guide | Japan Freelance Visa 2026 | Moving to Japan — TIFE Community Hub
🇯🇵 Building your life in Japan?
Our Moving to Japan hub gathers the work, visa, housing and money guides that help you settle in and get paid fairly.
Open the Moving to Japan Hub →Subscribe now and get news from us !
