S/ Tokura Masakazu, Chairman of Keidanren (Japan Business Federation): The minimum wage can be challenging, but if it becomes something unachievable, it only leads to confusion.  

Tokura added that the minimum wage is a law, and not adhering to it is subject to punishment.  

The heads of two other economic organizations also expressed their opinions on the issue of raising the minimum wage.  

Kobayashi Ken, President of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, complained that the number of local small and medium-sized enterprises that would be unable to pay wages would increase, putting local regions in danger of collapsing and contradicting regional development.  

In contrast, Keizai Doyukai Representative Director Niinami Takeshi expressed his desire for an early increase in wages, saying companies that cannot pay are not good.  

He also said small and medium-sized enterprises should set high wage increase targets and companies that can pay high wages should survive, thereby improving people's living standards.