Despite slow wage growth in Japan, the average hourly wage for temporary and part time staff continue to set record highs in recent months, as the country recovers from the pandemic, acts on government demands for wage hikes, and relaxes immigration restrictions, according to research from Japanese staffing giant Recruit.

Recruit’s research showed that the average hourly wage for temporary staff in February for the three major metropolitan areas Kanto, Tokai, and Kansai, was JPY 1,611 ( USD 12.16), up by 2.3% and an increase of JPY 36 (USD 0.27) year-over-year.

By industry, manufacturing/logistics/cleaning, and IT/technical set record highs, Recruit said.

Meanwhile, part-time job recruitment activities in all three major metropolitan areas were at an all-time high, particularly in the sales and service-related industry. This was attributed to seasonal spring recruitment in anticipation of increased travel, retirement, and fresh graduates.

Data for part-time job recruitment showed that the average hourly wage rose to JPY 1,142 (USD 8.62), up by 2.1% or by (USD 0.18) from the same month last year.