Wage hikes gain momentum in Japan, from factories to pubs

TOKYO -- More Japanese companies are offering higher pay as industries from auto manufacturing to restaurants scramble for workers in an economy that is trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even before the pandemic, Toyota Motor had struggled to find temporary workers willing to work late-night shifts. Now, Japan's top car company has decided to double its sign-on bonus to 200,000 yen ($1,740) to sweeten the deal.