Japan's real wages drop sharply amid economic slowdown, posing challenges for BOJ policy.

Rapid Decline in Real Wages as Inflation Continues to Erode Income

According to the latest data from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, real wages adjusted for inflation fell by 2.9% year-on-year in May 2025, marking the largest decrease in nearly 20 months and the fifth consecutive decline. Despite a record wage increase in over 30 years from spring labor-management negotiations, inflation remains persistently above the Bank of Japan's 2% target, standing at 3.5%, negating the positive effects of wage hikes.

Government data reveals that since the end of 2021, while nominal wages have continued to rise, real wages have decreased year-on-year in over 30 of the past 41 months, indicating that inflation pressure is continuously eroding the real purchasing power of Japanese households, significantly affecting consumer spending.

Economic Growth Slows, Weak Exports Limit Room for Rate Hikes

In the first quarter of this year, Japan's economy contracted by 0.2% quarter-on-quarter, marking the first instance of negative growth in a year, with weak export demand impacting the trade-dependent economic recovery. Additionally, the United States may impose a 25% tariff on Japanese goods starting August 1, further increasing export uncertainty.

The market is watching closely to see whether the Bank of Japan will push for rate hikes amid rising global protectionism and tariff threats to control stubbornly high inflation, or opt to maintain low interest rates to support fragile economic growth.

Diverging Market Opinions, Bank of Japan Adopts Wait-and-See Approach

Market opinions are divided regarding the Bank of Japan's next move. Hirofumi Suzuki, Chief Forex Strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking, pointed out that weak real wages suggest possible consumption slowdowns, signaling insufficient momentum for overall economic expansion. This may lead the Bank of Japan to delay rate hikes to avoid hindering domestic demand.

Jesper Koll, Expert Director at Monex Group, believes that faster inflation compared to wage growth might prompt Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda to persist with rate hikes to combat imported inflation, enhance the yen’s exchange rate, boost domestic purchasing power, and reduce import cost pressures.

Vishnu Varathan, Managing Director at Mizuho Securities, argues that amid tariff uncertainties and economic slowdown, the Bank of Japan should choose to stand by and observe the real impact of tightening expectations on the economy and markets. He suggests that under current conditions, there is little room for further rate hikes, and cautious observation may be the optimal choice.

Bank of Japan's Policy Path Constrained by Multiple Factors

The Bank of Japan has long emphasized the need for a "wage-driven price increase" virtuous cycle before considering rate hikes. However, the reality of prices rising faster than wages makes achieving this goal challenging. Coupled with US-Japan trade frictions and potential tariff threats, the Bank of Japan faces a difficult balance between controlling inflation and maintaining growth.

In the future, if inflation remains high and real wages continue to decline, the Bank of Japan might be forced to delay rate hikes. Conversely, if imported inflation worsens and causes further yen depreciation, the central bank may consider rate hikes to boost the exchange rate and residents' purchasing power.

In the context of a global economic slowdown and complex trade environment, every policy adjustment by the Bank of Japan could trigger a chain reaction, affecting the trajectory of not only Japan's but also Asia's financial markets.

The market carries risks, and investment should be cautious. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and has not taken into account individual users' specific investment goals, financial situations, or needs. Users should consider whether any opinions, viewpoints, or conclusions in this article are suitable for their particular circumstances. Investing based on this is at one's own responsibility.