Hyogo Weighing Instrument Industry Minimum Wage Rises to 1,173 Yen Dec 1

The Hyogo Labour Bureau announced on October 8, 2026, the decision to raise the minimum wage applicable to the manufacturing industry of weighing instruments, measuring instruments, analytical instruments, testing machines, and surveying machinery and equipment in Hyogo Prefecture from 1,117 yen to 1,173 yen per hour. Published in the Official Gazette as “Hyogo Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 2” under the name of Shinichi Kananari, Director of the Hyogo Labour Bureau, the revised amount will take effect on December 1, 2026. The increase amounts to 56 yen.

This decision was made based on the provisions of Article 15, Paragraph 2 of the Minimum Wage Act (Act No. 137 of 1959) and was publicized in accordance with the provisions of Article 19, Paragraph 1 of the same Act. The subject of the revision is the minimum wage for the manufacturing industry of weighing instruments, measuring instruments, analytical instruments, testing machines, and surveying machinery and equipment in Hyogo Prefecture, as established by the Hyogo Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 3 of 2008, part of which is being amended. The notice was issued on October 8, 2026, in the name of Shinichi Kananari, Director of the Hyogo Labour Bureau.

This public notice, published in the labor section of the Official Gazette, serves to widely inform the public of the decision to revise the minimum wage established for specific industries. The same issue of the Official Gazette also contains public notices from other agencies, such as notices of business discontinuation based on the Installment Sales Act, announcements regarding the refund of security deposits for notaries, and announcements regarding the appointment of administrators for inherited property.

Target Industries for Revision and Legal Basis

The framework described in the public notice is as follows:

• Name of Notice: Hyogo Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 2
• Issuing Agency: Hyogo Labour Bureau
• Issuer: Shinichi Kananari, Director of the Hyogo Labour Bureau
• Legal Basis: Article 15, Paragraph 2 and Article 19, Paragraph 1 of the Minimum Wage Act (Act No. 137 of 1959)
• Subject of Revision: Hyogo Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 3 (No. 4) of 2008
• Target Industry: Manufacturing industry of weighing instruments, measuring instruments, analytical instruments, testing machines, and surveying machinery and equipment in Hyogo Prefecture

Amount Revision and Effective Date

The main text of the notice explicitly states that “1,117 yen per hour” in Item 4 of the subject of revision shall be changed to “1,173 yen per hour.” The supplementary provisions stipulate that this decision will take effect on December 1, 2026.

• Amount before revision: 1,117 yen per hour
• Amount after revision: 1,173 yen per hour
• Increase amount: 56 yen
• Effective date: December 1, 2026

Publication of Notice and Other Government Notices

This matter was published in the labor section of the Official Gazette, and other notices from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Legal Affairs Bureau were published alongside it in the same issue. The decision to revise the minimum wage differs in nature from other announcements in that it has a direct effect on both the workers and employers of the target industry.

Impact on Workers and Employers

This revision raises the minimum wage for workers engaged in the manufacture of weighing instruments, measuring instruments, analytical instruments, testing machines, and surveying machinery and equipment within Hyogo Prefecture. Employers in these industries must pay wages that are not lower than the revised amount starting December 1, 2026. Practical measures, including the review of wage ledgers and notices of working conditions, are required before the effective date.

Sources

• Hyogo Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 2 “Public Notice Regarding the Decision to Revise the Minimum Wage,” October 8, 2026, Shinichi Kananari, Director of Hyogo Labour Bureau
• Official Gazette, Thursday, October 8, 2026 (Labor Section)
• Legal Basis: Minimum Wage Act (Act No. 137 of 1959), Article 15, Paragraph 2; Article 19, Paragraph 1
• Subject of Revision: Hyogo Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 3 of 2008