Business · Companies · 5 hrs ago
Aichi manufacturers raise starting pay amid hiring competition
Aichi manufacturers are raising starting salaries as they compete to hire graduates.
A leading spark-plug maker, Nippon Tokushu Togyo, set pay for university graduates joining in April 2026 at ¥320,000 a month, ¥50,000 more than the previous year.
Its increase over four years is more than ¥100,000.
Other manufacturers in the region also raised starting pay, including NGK and Tokai Rika, while manufacturers now make up nine of the top 15 local companies ranked by starting salary.
Toyota, a major employer in Aichi, offers new graduates ¥275,000 a month.
Population decline and industry change add pressure as electric vehicles become more common and companies seek a wider pool of skilled workers.
Companies are expected to keep reviewing pay and benefits to attract talent, though starting salary is only one part of total compensation.
Aichi manufacturers are raising starting salaries as they compete with Toyota and other companies to hire workers.
Niterra raised the starting salary for university graduates joining in April 2026 to ¥320,000, an increase of ¥50,000 from the previous year.
Its starting salary has risen by more than ¥100,000 in four years.
Other Aichi manufacturers, including NGK and Tokai Rika, have also raised starting pay.
Manufacturers accounted for nine of the top 15 starting salaries among major companies headquartered in Aichi, up from four four years earlier.
- Who
- Manufacturers in Aichi, including Niterra, NGK and Tokai Rika, are raising starting pay.
- What
- Companies are increasing starting salaries amid competition to hire workers.
- When
- The changes include starting salaries for employees joining in April 2026. The article was published on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
- Why
- Companies are competing for skilled workers as the population declines and industries face change, including the spread of electric vehicles.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Manufacturers accounted for four of the top 15 starting salaries among major companies headquartered in Aichi.
Niterra raised its starting salary for new university graduates by ¥50,000 to ¥320,000 for those joining in April 2026.
The new starting salary applies to university graduates joining Niterra.
- Niterra starting salary
- ¥320,000 per month for university graduates joining in April 2026
- Niterra annual increase
- ¥50,000 from the previous year
- Niterra four-year increase
- More than ¥100,000
- NGK increase
- ¥20,000 from the previous year
- Tokai Rika increase
- ¥31,000 from the previous year
- Manufacturers in Aichi salary rankings
- 9 of the top 15, compared with 4 four years earlier
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