Japan’s unions win 5.46% wage hike, larger than previous year

TOKYO — Japan’s largest labor confederation announced Friday that its unions won an average 5.46% rise in wages from April, adding to last year’s increase and coming ahead of the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy meeting next week.

Unions and company managers negotiate each spring to set monthly wages before Japan’s fiscal year begins in April. As major companies concluded their negotiations — known as shunto — this week, results have been stronger than last year.