THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
February 12, 2025 at 16:35 JST
Shinji Aoyama, vice president of Honda Motor Co., left, receives demands from Honda Motor Workers’ Union on Feb. 12. (Provided by Honda Motor Co.)
This year’s “shunto” spring labor-management negotiations is now in full swing with labor unions expected to make high-level pay demands, as they did last year, as prices continue to rise.
On Feb. 12, labor unions of major automobile companies put forward their demands en masse.
Honda Motor Workers’ Union, the labor union of Honda Motor Co., has demanded a 13,000 yen ($85) monthly increase in base salary.
The total amount of the wage increase requested, including regular salary increases based on age and years of service, is 19,500 yen, which, if realized, would result in a wage increase of approximately 5 percent.
Shinji Aoyama, vice president of Honda who attended the negotiations, said the automotive industry is constantly changing and competition is becoming even fiercer.
"It is precisely because of these difficult conditions that the company will continue to take a 'labor-management co-creation' stance in its negotiations,” he said.
Toyota Motor Workers’ Union, the labor union of Toyota Motor Corp., demanded a wage hike to “the highest level since 1999, the year when such comparisons became possible" from management, as it did last year. This includes a base increase and a regular salary increase, the union said.
The union also demanded an annual lump-sum payment (bonus) equivalent to 7.6 months of fixed wages, the same as last year, when it was the highest ever.
The labor unions of steel giants, such as Nippon Steel Corp. and JFE Steel Corp., have submitted their demands.
Those of heavy industry giants, such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., and IHI Corp., have also given their demands.
Each union demanded a wage increase of 15,000 yen per month in base salary.
On Feb. 13, labor unions of major electronics manufacturers will submit their demands.
Responses from major companies are expected in mid-March.
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