#Japan #Tokyo #Tokyo Stock Exchange #summer bonuses #labor statistics

Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Companies: 2025 Summer Bonuses Survey

In a recent survey conducted by the Labor Administration Research Institute, led by Chairman Hiromu Inomata, an analysis was performed regarding the summer bonuses and one-time payments agreed upon by companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime. The survey covered 114 companies, providing essential insights into wage adjustments made in conjunction with this year’s negotiations. This article is based on select information compiled in a detailed report available through the institute, and it highlights several key findings:

Key Findings from the Survey

1. Summer Bonus Payment Levels

As of April 8, 2025, the average summer bonus paid by Tokyo Prime companies reached ¥862,928, reflecting a 3.8% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, the manufacturing sector experienced a rise of 3.7%, while the non-manufacturing sector saw a higher increase of 4.8%. The detailed breakdown offers an encouraging perspective on the trend of corporate profits translating into employee compensation.

2. Trends in Bonus Amounts Over the Years

Historically, the agreed-upon summer bonus amounts demonstrate significant fluctuations. In 2021, during the pandemic, the average bonus fell to ¥710,397, a decrease of 2.5%. However, 2022 marked a turning point with a sharp increase to ¥765,888, a rise of 6.5%. Since then, the bonuses have continued to grow annually, indicating a positive recovery in the corporate landscape and employee remuneration.

3. Bonus Payment Months

The average payment duration for summer bonuses is currently estimated at 2.55 months across 115 industries covered in the survey. This figure is slightly lower than the previous year’s average of 2.58 months. Furthermore, the maximum recorded payment duration was 3.96 months, down from 5.00 months, while the minimum also saw a decrease to 1.35 months from 1.48 months.

Survey Methodology

Name of the Survey

The investigation conducted is titled "Survey of 2025 Summer Bonus and One-time Payment Levels."

Survey Coverage

The survey targeted companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime market, specifically those with labor unions recognized as primary representatives. This includes scenarios where holding companies have subsidiaries under the Prime listing.

Scope of the Survey

Survey responses included enterprises that had already reached agreements regarding their summer bonuses and who could provide data on the bonuses for 2025, 2024, and the prior year-end bonuses.

Total Companies Surveyed

The monetary figure compilation derived responses from 114 companies, while the payment month counts were gathered from 115 companies, ensuring a robust data set for analysis.

Data Collection Method

The average figures were calculated based on a simple mean of payouts per union member (sometimes adjusted for age points or overall employee averages). This highlights a commitment to producing reliable labor statistics.

Survey Timing

The data for this survey was collected between March 12, 2025, and April 8, 2025.

This survey reflects an ongoing commitment by the Labor Administration Research Institute to analyze labor trends that impact the financial well-being of employees across various sectors. For more detailed information and statistical graphics, readers are encouraged to refer to the comprehensive PDF available at the provided link. Additionally, further details will be discussed in the upcoming edition of "Rousai Journal" No. 4098, slated for publication on May 9, 2025.