Total labor cash earnings in Japan increased at a faster-than-expected pace in August, preliminary report from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, cited by rttnews.

Gross earnings climbed 0.9 percent year-over-year in August, faster than the 0.4 percent rise in July, which was revised from a 0.3 percent fall estimated previously.

Economists had expected a 0.5 percent rise for August.

Contractual gross earnings grew 0.6 percent annually in August and special cash earnings rose notably by 6.1 percent.

Real cash earnings edged up 0.1 percent in August, the same rate of increase as in the preceding month.