Recruit Co. Ltd, a Tokyo-based staffing provider and part of Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd. (6098:TYO), reported Friday the average hourly wage for temporary workers in three major Japanese metro areas — Kanto, Tokai and Kansai — rose 3.4% year over year in March to JPY 1,629 (USD 12.26). In particular, an increase in the IT sector where there is a chronic shortage of professionals had an impact.

The average hourly wage was up 1.1% from February.

Recruit also noted more job openings are appealing to job seekers’ needs for things such as remote work in addition to higher hourly wages.

Here are March’s average hourly wages by metro area:

• Kanto — up 3.1% year over year to JPY 1,728 (USD 13.00); up 1.3% from February.
• Tokai — up 2.9% year over year to 1,437 (USD 10.81); up 0.6% from February.
• Kansai — up 2.1% year over year to JPY 1,450 (USD 10.91); up 0.5% from February.

Kanto includes Tokyo and six other prefectures. Tokai includes Nagoya, the capital of the Aichi prefecture. Kansai includes the major cities of Kyoto, Osaka and Nara.