Japan's inflation-adjusted wages fell for a sixth straight month in June as surging prices continued to outpace salary increases.
Preliminary data released by the labor ministry on Wednesday show that real pay fell 1.3 percent compared with the same month last year.
The ministry surveyed about 30,000 businesses nationwide with at least five employees.
Workers took home 511,210 yen, or just under 3,500 dollars, on average in June. That includes base pay, overtime and bonus payments.
The nominal amount is up 2.5 percent year-on-year, and has risen for 42 consecutive months.
Base wages increased 2.1 percent, while other pay including bonuses rose 3 percent.
Ministry officials say base pay is steadily increasing but real wages continue to slide.
by Dapper-Material5930