Minimum wage hikes won't help stabilize workers' livelihoods because companies are trying to cut labor costs.

At my company we already pay more than 1000 yen for our part time employees so it won't affect me. If I was affected by this decision, I'd probably eliminate one person at least.

Yep, he is right. not to mention, minimal wage contributes to the increase in production costs and prices of end products, at the end hurting same workers that it intended to protect.

Without laws-with-teeth that financially penalize companies for taking advantage of their employees, this country will continue to see a decline in full time employment, number of babies per person, and disposable income for singles and families. This is really a no-brainer, I am curious why the new (and old) governments have yet to understand this? If you want babies to help pay your upcoming retirement benefits you better protect the employers! Baito single men and enjyo kosai/prostituting girls are not going to do it. Who would want to get married in this kind of situation?

....benefits you better protect the employEES! typo.

minimum wadge doesnt effect as many end products produced in Japan, companies have been leaning to china production for years, and its only getting more dependent as time ticks by.

It is far more complex than to simply say Salary increase by 100yen will make everything more expensive. What about supply and demand? If there is no disposable income, supply is not bought. Nisegaijin your logic is not only flawed, but lacking in common sense. Try widening your view next time.

As i said before, it is employers like ppayne claims to be that give further support that effective employee work protection laws do not exist in Japan.

There are a few laws, but none of them are enforced, and are virtually meaningless.

Japan is screwing its self because employers can do pretty much anything they want and get away with it.