SME in Event Industry Implements Uniform 25,000 Yen Wage Increase—12.8% Raise Double the SME Average, Building on 'Happiness Support Allowance'
Bansei Co., Ltd., an event planning firm, will implement a uniform 25,000 yen monthly base-up for all employees in April 2026. With a 12.8% raise rate, the company aims to combat labor shortages and inflation while improving employee retention.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 23:19
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 15:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 15:07 (5 min after Collected)
Bansei Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; President: Kotaro Ueda), which handles event planning, management, and production, will implement a uniform base-up of 25,000 yen per month for all employees starting April 2026.
Since April 2025, the company has introduced the 'Happiness Support Allowance,' a system to support employees' hobbies and self-investment. This system was started as part of employee benefits with the desire to enrich employees' lives amidst continuing price increases and improve job satisfaction.
By stepping beyond temporary support through 'allowances' into 'permanent wage increases,' the company aims for more sustainable improvement in treatment and job satisfaction.
**Wage increase trends spreading to SMEs**
Against the backdrop of recent price increases, the importance of wage increases in companies is rising further. In the event industry, while demand is recovering, labor shortages are becoming serious, and competition to secure young talent is intensifying. In addition, high turnover rates, especially in field positions, are an issue, making treatment improvement for employee retention an urgent theme.
In the 2026 spring labor negotiations (Shunto), the average wage increase rate was approximately 5.26% (preliminary calculation), maintaining high levels for the third consecutive year. However, in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), challenges remain for continuous wage increases due to high raw material and labor costs and the difficulty of passing costs to customers.
Therefore, more companies are shifting from 'temporary allowances' to sustainable improvements through 'increases in basic pay.' *Source: Japanese Trade Union Confederation, Teikoku Databank, Tokyo Shoko Research.
**80% Employee Satisfaction: Results and Challenges of the 'Happiness Support Allowance'**
In April 2025, the company introduced the 'Happiness Support Allowance' to encourage the fulfillment and growth of each employee's life. The system was named the 'Happiness Support Allowance' in the hope that it would lead to improved employee happiness.
With the increase in starting salaries for new graduates, the company also provided 17,000 yen per month to existing employees as a treatment improvement measure.
In an internal survey (60 respondents), the satisfaction rate was 80%, with many positive comments. Usage included 'hobbies/fan activities' (42%), 'daily living expenses' (28%), 'time with family' (20%), and 'savings' (10%).
In addition to daily enjoyment, it is used for stabilizing life and preparing for the future, spreading across various lifestyles. The system contributes to 'improving individual happiness' and 'fostering awareness for the future' through forward-looking self-investment.
**From 'Allowance' to 'Base-up': Uniform 25,000 yen Increase for All Employees**
To further improve treatment, the company decided to implement a base-up starting April 2026. This will be a uniform increase of 25,000 yen per month for all employees, including new hires.
This measure aims to 'raise the living base of all employees,' recognizing that everyone is equally affected by inflation regardless of position. Especially for field workers with high living costs, the decision was made for overall optimization.
In the event industry, creating an environment where all employees can work with peace of mind will lead to improved organization-wide retention. This initiative supports the living base continuously, with a wage increase rate of approximately 12.8%, significantly exceeding the SME average.
**Continuous Efforts for a 'Company You Don't Want to Leave'**
Since the business succession in 2023, the company has actively promoted reforms reflecting employee voices, including reviewing benefits and internal training...
Since April 2025, the company has introduced the 'Happiness Support Allowance,' a system to support employees' hobbies and self-investment. This system was started as part of employee benefits with the desire to enrich employees' lives amidst continuing price increases and improve job satisfaction.
By stepping beyond temporary support through 'allowances' into 'permanent wage increases,' the company aims for more sustainable improvement in treatment and job satisfaction.
**Wage increase trends spreading to SMEs**
Against the backdrop of recent price increases, the importance of wage increases in companies is rising further. In the event industry, while demand is recovering, labor shortages are becoming serious, and competition to secure young talent is intensifying. In addition, high turnover rates, especially in field positions, are an issue, making treatment improvement for employee retention an urgent theme.
In the 2026 spring labor negotiations (Shunto), the average wage increase rate was approximately 5.26% (preliminary calculation), maintaining high levels for the third consecutive year. However, in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), challenges remain for continuous wage increases due to high raw material and labor costs and the difficulty of passing costs to customers.
Therefore, more companies are shifting from 'temporary allowances' to sustainable improvements through 'increases in basic pay.' *Source: Japanese Trade Union Confederation, Teikoku Databank, Tokyo Shoko Research.
**80% Employee Satisfaction: Results and Challenges of the 'Happiness Support Allowance'**
In April 2025, the company introduced the 'Happiness Support Allowance' to encourage the fulfillment and growth of each employee's life. The system was named the 'Happiness Support Allowance' in the hope that it would lead to improved employee happiness.
With the increase in starting salaries for new graduates, the company also provided 17,000 yen per month to existing employees as a treatment improvement measure.
In an internal survey (60 respondents), the satisfaction rate was 80%, with many positive comments. Usage included 'hobbies/fan activities' (42%), 'daily living expenses' (28%), 'time with family' (20%), and 'savings' (10%).
In addition to daily enjoyment, it is used for stabilizing life and preparing for the future, spreading across various lifestyles. The system contributes to 'improving individual happiness' and 'fostering awareness for the future' through forward-looking self-investment.
**From 'Allowance' to 'Base-up': Uniform 25,000 yen Increase for All Employees**
To further improve treatment, the company decided to implement a base-up starting April 2026. This will be a uniform increase of 25,000 yen per month for all employees, including new hires.
This measure aims to 'raise the living base of all employees,' recognizing that everyone is equally affected by inflation regardless of position. Especially for field workers with high living costs, the decision was made for overall optimization.
In the event industry, creating an environment where all employees can work with peace of mind will lead to improved organization-wide retention. This initiative supports the living base continuously, with a wage increase rate of approximately 12.8%, significantly exceeding the SME average.
**Continuous Efforts for a 'Company You Don't Want to Leave'**
Since the business succession in 2023, the company has actively promoted reforms reflecting employee voices, including reviewing benefits and internal training...