#Japan #Small Business #Chuo-ku, Tokyo #Freeway Japan #summer bonuses

Survey on Summer Bonuses in 2025

Freeway Japan, based in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, conducted a survey on 243 participants, including 86 representatives of small and micro businesses and 157 employees and self-employed individuals, to assess expectations and insights about summer bonuses for 2025. The survey aimed to understand the landscape for bonuses in the current economic climate, especially in the wake of performance trends from the previous year. The data uncovered several revealing statistics about bonus expectations and overall financial health among small enterprises in Japan.

Key Findings

1. Bonus Expectations from Executives

In recent years, the trend regarding summer bonuses for executives has been shifting. According to 33.7% of executives surveyed, there are no plans for summer bonuses in 2025, showing an increase of 6.9 points from the previous year. Among these executives, 45.4% reported no change in their business performance compared to the prior year’s second half, with only a quarter indicating an increase in performance.

2. Employee Insights

Conversely, when employees were surveyed, 54.8% reported that summer bonuses are expected. Interestingly, 47.8% of those anticipating bonuses indicated that they would be larger than last year’s bonuses. The average anticipated bonus emerged at an approximate 403,000 yen, marking a rise from around 350,000 yen the previous summer.

3. Winter Bonus Outlook

The survey included questions about the expected winter bonuses, finding an equal split among representatives—32.6% believe there will be bonuses, while another 32.6% are uncertain about their potential distribution. In contrast, 40.1% of employees believe they won't receive winter bonuses, indicating a disparity in expectations between executives and their employees.

4. Reasons Behind Bonus Optimism

Many employees who expect bonuses attributed their optimism to company performance, with 28.6% citing good corporate management as a key factor. In contrast, those skeptical about receiving bonuses referenced ongoing corporate struggles, with 27.7% suggesting that sustained poor performance is a significant concern.

5. Salary Increases

In a supplementary portion of the survey, 44.2% of executives admitted to implementing salary increases in the past six months. In contrast, over half of executives (55.8%) had not made any salary adjustments, reflecting the complex landscape of compensation amid economic challenges.

Conclusions

The survey results highlight a significant divide in perceptions about summer bonuses within small businesses across Japan. While executive expectations lean towards caution, employees express cautious optimism about their financial prospects. As the economic landscape continues to evolve, it remains crucial for small business leaders to maintain open lines of communication with their teams regarding future financial decisions.

About Freeway Japan

Freeway Japan, founded in March 1991, specializes in development and provision of cloud-based services, including payroll and accounting solutions designed specifically for small and micro enterprises. The firm believes that supporting small businesses strengthens the overall economy, hence their approach of offering free service options to entrepreneurs and freelancers, fostering growth and sustainability in diverse business environments.

For detailed survey results and analyses, visit the official Freeway Japan website.