Saitama's Sakado City Set to Reach 1,500 Yen Hourly Wage by 2027

Sakado City Heads Towards 1,500 Yen Hourly Wage

In a recent report, the average hourly wage in Sakado City, Saitama Prefecture, is projected to rise impressively by 11.35% annually, potentially reaching 1,500 yen by 2027. As part of a broader strategy, the government aims to raise the national minimum wage to 1,500 yen in the 2020s, spurring a wave of wage increases in various municipalities. This article uses job market data to highlight the trends leading to higher wages in the Tokyo metropolitan area, focusing on Sakado City.

Overview of Minimum Wage Trends

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has reported an upward trajectory in national average minimum wages. For instance, in 2024, the national weighted average wage rose by 5.08%, setting it at 1,055 yen. The hike leaves a gap of 445 yen to reach the 1,500 yen goal, necessitating an average annual increase of more than 8% to meet the target by 2029.

Examining Hourly Wage Trends

From March 2022 to March 2025, the hourly wage data reveals a steady increase across the metropolitan area. The data shows a 1.04% rise in October 2022, followed by a 1.75% increase in October 2023. By November 2024, the trend continued with an increase of 1.43%. Such consistent increments reflect the proactive wage policies moving in tandem with a persistent push to enhance living standards.

Over this period, the average hourly wage in the metropolitan area climbed from 1,151 yen to 1,287 yen, marking an increase of 11.82%. From March 2024 to January 2025 alone, the increase was 4.63%.

Sakado City on the Rise

Among the study's findings, Sakado City shines brightly as the number one municipality, reporting an 11.35% increase in hourly wages compared to the previous year. Currently, Sakado’s average wage stands at 1,256 yen, which means to achieve the 1,500 yen milestone, an additional 244 yen—or a 19.43% increase—is required. Given the current annual growth rate, Sakado City could meet this goal by 2027.

Specifically, job categories in Sakado show varying increases. The food and beverage sector leads with an 8.67% rise, followed by sales and service at 5.82%, and healthcare professions at 4.37%.

To better understand the wage dynamics in Sakado, we examined job postings from March 2024 to March 2025. Notably, the lowest wage category experienced zero postings as the minimum wage increased from 1,028 yen to 1,078 yen, reflecting a significant realignment in compensation expectations.

Even in competitive regions, chains like Sukiya and Matsuyas prominently feature higher wage postings, particularly during night shifts, indicating a renewed emphasis on attracting labor by offering competitive rates.

Conclusion

This analysis underscores the evolving landscape of Sakado City's job market as it heads towards a competitive average hourly wage of 1,500 yen. The metrics indicate successful corporate recruitment strategies driven by demand, especially in the service and healthcare industries. Enhanced visibility for job postings could further benefit local businesses seeking applicants.

By harnessing big data metrics, industry stakeholders can gain valuable insights, advancing their hiring strategies and market positioning. As Sakado City strides towards meaningful wage increases, its journey may serve as a blueprint for other municipalities aiming for economic uplift.