Questionable Japanese Wages Data Show Sharp and Unexpected Drop

Japanese wages fell unexpectedly in February as the labor ministry adjusted the sample group used to compile the data, muddying the waters for analysts trying to get a handle on the weak state of pay in the economy.

Labor cash earnings dropped 0.8 percent from a year ago, the ministry reported Friday, compared with projections for them to advance 0.9 percent. The reading for January was revised down to -0.6 percent from 1.2 percent.