On the 19th, Aeon Retail, a major supermarket chain in Japan, announced an agreement with labor representatives to raise part-time wages by 101.8 yen, or 8.38%, including system-enhanced increases. Additionally, regular employees will see a monthly wage increase of 19,637 yen, which translates to a 5.89% rise. This decision is a full response to demands made by labor unions, showcasing a strong commitment to addressing workers' pay.

Labor negotiations for the Skylark Group, a leading player in the restaurant industry, also concluded successfully on the same day. Their agreement includes a part-time wage increment of 71.3 yen, representing a 6.39% hike, and a monthly increase of 20,738 yen for full-time employees, or a 5.28% rise. Both companies provided complete responses to union demands, which signifies a positive outcome for employees in the sector.

A spokesperson from UA Zensen, which consists of labor unions across various sectors including retail and food service, remarked that this agreement will affect over 75,000 part-time workers combined across the two companies. The early resolution of negotiations compared to previous years is anticipated to have a significant positive impact on these workers' livelihoods, particularly in a time when wage growth is crucial for many families in Japan.