Top Japan firms hike wages at slowest pace in years

Some of Japan's top companies announced their lowest wage hikes in years on Wednesday, marking the latest challenge for Tokyo's bid to boost spending and the economy. Toyota, which employees nearly 350,000 in Japan, offered a base pay hike of 1,300 yen ($11) per month for the fiscal year starting in April, the lowest in four years and down from a 1,500 yen bump in 2016.