Key Facts: Japan vs Guernsey Wages
- Japan Minimum Wage
- ¥1,121/hr ($7.03 USD)
- Guernsey Minimum Wage
- £12.60/hr ($16.97 USD)
- Japan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- ¥398,333 /mo ($2,497.54 USD)
- Guernsey Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £3,556 /mo ($4,787.94 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2026-05-23), States of Guernsey — Minimum Wage (2026-03-12)
Japan
Guernsey
Updated 2026-05-23
The minimum wage in Japan is 59% lower than in Guernsey in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average salaries are lower in Japan at $2,498/mo compared to $4,788/mo in Guernsey.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Japan | Guernsey |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | ¥1,121 $7.03 | £12.60 $16.97 |
| Minimum wage /mo | ¥194,303 $1,218.28 | £2,184 $2,940.62 |
| Minimum wage /yr | ¥2,331,680 $14,619.60 | £26,208 $35,287.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | ¥398,333 /mo $2,497.54 | £3,556 /mo $4,787.94 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | ¥290,833 /mo $1,823.52 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | ¥3,620,000 /yr $22,697.35 | £42,672 /yr $57,455.23 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Japan is higher.
Work Week
- Japan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hrs/week base. Overtime premium 25% (50% over 60 hrs/month). Late night (10pm-5am) adds 25%. Holiday work adds 35%.
- Guernsey
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours. Employment law broadly follows UK principles with local variations.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Japan earns 141% less per hour in USD terms than one in Guernsey.
See this comparison from Guernsey's perspective: Guernsey vs Japan
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Japan or Guernsey?
In Japan, the minimum wage is ¥1,121/hr ($7.03 USD). In Guernsey, it is £12.60/hr ($16.97 USD). Guernsey has the higher rate by 141% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Japan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Japan compared to Guernsey?
The average gross salary in Japan is ¥398,333/mo ($2,497.54 USD), compared to £3,556/mo ($4,787.94 USD) in Guernsey. In USD terms, workers in Japan earn approximately 92% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Japan and Guernsey is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Guernsey earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Japan.
How do work hours compare between Japan and Guernsey?
Both Japan and Guernsey mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.