Someone's Summer Bonus Just Topped ¥1 Million

The average summer bonus at major Japanese companies just broke ¥1 million for the first time ever.

So that's nice for them

According to the bigwigs at Keidanren (the Japan Business Federation), the average summer bonus payout for employees at major corporations hit ¥1,008,706. That's a record high since they started counting in 1981.

Apparently, good business performance and a rise in base salaries are to thank. So while you were trying to figure out which trash bag to use for your chip packets, some people were getting a bonus that could cover a year's rent on your 1K apartment.

It's that magical time of year when you see the numbers on your own payslip and wonder if they forgot a zero. Don't worry, they didn't. 🥲

But hold on, not for everyone

Before you start side-eying every person in a slightly-too-expensive suit on the train, this number comes with some serious footnotes. This is the average for *daikigyou* — massive companies with 500 or more employees.

The manufacturing industry average was even higher, at ¥1.06 million. If you have a friend who works at a big food company, they're supposedly doing especially well this year. Time to suggest a group dinner where they can conveniently pick up the bill.

Meanwhile, the automotive industry actually saw a drop. So maybe hold off on asking your friend at Toyota for a loan.

And now for the fine print

Of course, this being Japan, the good news comes wrapped in layers of bureaucratic reality. This is just the *first* survey round. The final, official number that comes out in August is almost always lower.

The list of companies that answer the survey also changes every year, so direct comparisons are technically meaningless, which is a very Japanese way of saying 'don't get too excited'.

So there you have it. Someone, somewhere, is having a very good summer. As for the rest of us, well, at least the new GariGari-kun flavor is out.