Saitama Labour Bureau raises transport equipment minimum wage to 1,224 yen

The Saitama Labour Bureau has announced the decision to raise the industry-specific minimum wage applicable to the transport machinery and equipment manufacturing industry in Saitama Prefecture from 1,165 yen to 1,224 yen per hour. The announcement was published in the labor section of the Official Gazette (dated October 15, 2026) as Saitama Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 3. The revised amount will take effect on December 1, 2026.

The 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 Saitama Prefecture Transport Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing Industry Minimum Wage (Saitama Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 4 of 2008), taking the form of a partial amendment to said notice.

Industry-specific minimum wages (specified minimum wages) are set based on specific industries and regions, separately from the regional minimum wages determined on a prefectural basis. For workplaces engaged in the transport machinery and equipment manufacturing industry within Saitama Prefecture, this industry-specific minimum wage applies in addition to the regional minimum wage, and the higher of the two amounts must be paid.

Increase of 59 Yen, Effective December 1

The content of the decision is to change the current 1,165 yen per hour to 1,224 yen per hour, representing an increase of 59 yen, or approximately 5.1%. The supplementary provisions state that this decision will take effect on December 1, 2026.

• Amount before revision: 1,165 yen per hour
• Amount after revision: 1,224 yen per hour
• Increase amount: 59 yen (approx. 5.1%)
• Effective date: December 1, 2026
• Date of public notice: October 15, 2026

Framework of Public Notice and Issuing Authority

The public notice was issued by Koji Tabira, Director of the Saitama Labour Bureau. It was published in the labor section of the Official Gazette as a “Public Notice Regarding the Decision to Revise the Minimum Wage” and was included in the Official Gazette of the same date.

• Issuing Authority: Saitama Labour Bureau
• Public Notice Number: Saitama Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 3
• Legal Basis: Minimum Wage Act (Act No. 137 of 1959) Article 15, Paragraph 2; Article 19, Paragraph 1
• Target Industry: Transport machinery and equipment manufacturing industry
• Target Region: Saitama Prefecture
• Publication: Official Gazette (dated October 15, 2026), Labor Section

Scope of Application and Practical Confirmation Items

The scope of application covers workplaces in the transport machinery and equipment manufacturing industry within Saitama Prefecture, targeting workers in factories producing automotive parts, industrial machinery, etc., and their employers. Business operators must check the hourly conversion amount not only for hourly wages but also for daily, monthly, and piece-rate wages, and review wages to ensure they do not fall below 1,224 yen after December 1.

Saitama Prefecture is a region where automotive-related manufacturing industries are concentrated, and this increase will directly impact the wage levels of workers in the industry. Starting December 1, operations based on the new minimum wage amount will begin at the applicable workplaces.

Sources

• Saitama Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 3 “Public Notice Regarding the Decision to Revise the Minimum Wage,” October 15, 2026, Koji Tabira, Director of the Saitama Labour Bureau
• Official Gazette (dated October 15, 2026), Labour Section
• Legal Basis: Minimum Wage Act (Act No. 137 of 1959), Article 15, Paragraph 2, Article 19, Paragraph 1