Saitama Labour Bureau Raises Electronic Components Minimum Wage to 1,223 Yen

The Saitama Labour Bureau announced in the Official Gazette dated October 13, 2026, the decision to raise the specified minimum wage applicable to the electronic components, devices, and electronic circuits, electrical machinery and equipment, and information and communication technology equipment manufacturing industries in Saitama Prefecture from 1,168 yen to 1,223 yen per hour. The announcement was made as Saitama Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 2, based on Article 15, Paragraph 2 of the Minimum Wage Act (Act No. 137 of 1959), and in accordance with the provisions of Article 19, Paragraph 1 of the same Act. The revised amount will take effect on December 1, 2026.

According to the Saitama Labour Bureau, this decision partially amends the specified minimum wage established in Saitama Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 2 of 2024, specifically changing the amount listed in Item 4 of said notice from “1,168 yen per hour” to “1,223 yen per hour.” The specified minimum wage is a systemic framework established for specific industries based on agreements between labor and management, separate from the regional minimum wages of each prefecture; this amount applies in place of the regional minimum wage at workplaces within the target industries.

Details of the Increase Determined by the Saitama Labour Bureau

• Name of Public Notice: Saitama Labour Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 2 (Public Notice Regarding the Decision to Revise the Minimum Wage)
• Issuing Authority: Saitama Labour Bureau (Director General of Saitama Labour Bureau, Koji Tabira)
• Date of Public Notice: October 13, 2026 (October 13, Reiwa 8)
• Legal Basis: Article 15, Paragraph 2 of the Minimum Wage Act (Act No. 137 of 1959); public notice per Article 19, Paragraph 1 of the same Act
• Amount before revision: 1,168 yen per hour
• Amount after revision: 1,223 yen per hour (increase of 55 yen)
• Effective date: December 1, 2026

Target Industries and Scope of Application

This revision targets workers employed at workplaces belonging to the following manufacturing industries within Saitama Prefecture:

• Electronic components, devices, and electronic circuits manufacturing
• Electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing
• Information and communication technology equipment manufacturing

These industries are core sectors responsible for the production of electronic components, electronic circuits, and communication equipment within Saitama’s manufacturing industry, employing a large number of workers in factories and related suppliers across the prefecture. The revision of the specified minimum wage applies to all workers employed at workplaces in the target industries, and employers will be prohibited from paying wages below this amount starting December 1.

Impact on Employers and Workers

The Saitama Labour Bureau will require employers who employ workers at wages below the revised amount to take measures such as raising wages by December 1. Since the specified minimum wage based on the Minimum Wage Act is determined through negotiations between labor and management within the target industries, this increase may also influence the overall wage levels of the manufacturing industry within the prefecture.

• Eligible businesses are prohibited from paying wages lower than 1,223 yen per hour starting December 1.
• Workers paid hourly, including part-time and temporary staff, are also included in the scope.
• Businesses will need to review their wage structures and budgets in accordance with the increase in personnel costs.

For workers in the electronic components/devices, electrical machinery/apparatus, and information and communication machinery/apparatus manufacturing industries within Saitama Prefecture, this public notice directly signifies a wage increase starting December 1. For businesses, this decision forces an increase in personnel costs and a subsequent review of recruitment and employment conditions; both labor and management in the target industries will proceed with necessary adjustments ahead of the year-end wage revisions.

Official Sources

• Saitama Labor Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 2 “Public Notice Regarding the Decision to Revise the Minimum Wage,” Koji Tabira, Director of the Saitama Labor Bureau, October 13, 2026
• Legal Basis: Minimum Wage Act (Act No. 137 of 1959) Article 15, Paragraph 2; Article 19, Paragraph 1
• Subject of Revision: 2024 Saitama Labor Bureau Minimum Wage Public Notice No. 2 (Minimum Wage for Electronic Components, Devices, Electronic Circuits, Electrical Machinery/Apparatus, and Information and Communication Machinery/Apparatus Manufacturing Industries in Saitama Prefecture)
• Effective Date: December 1, 2026