Japan real wages up 1.4% in Jan., 1st rise in 13 months, as inflation slows

Japan's real wages in January rose 1.4 percent from a year earlier, marking the first gain in 13 months, helped by pay growth and a relatively moderate increase in prices, government data showed Monday.Nominal wages, or the average monthly cash earnings per worker including base and overtime pay, climbed 3.0 percent to 301,314 yen ($1,900), up for the 49th straight month, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said.An escalating conflict in the Middle East could affect price movements, with the focus on whether real wages will remain in positive territory. A ministry official said the go…READ FULL ARTICLE