Some Japanese companies are pledging to raise wages beyond the 5 percent target set by the Japan Confederation of Trade Unions, or Rengo.

The companies announced their offers well in advance of next spring’s negotiations in an effort to retain current workers and attract new hires.

Nojima, which runs an appliance retail chain, plans to raise its base salary in January for the third year in a row for its approximately 3,000 employees.

Store and call center workers can expect an additional monthly allowance of up to 25,000 yen, or about $167, starting in April. This equates to a total increase of around 7 percent.

Suntory Holdings announced a hike of a similar magnitude for next spring. This would be the third year in a row that the beverage maker has given raises.

Much of the focus is on whether other large companies will follow suit.

This trend could also extend to small and medium-sized businesses, where salary increases tend to be relatively small.

Rengo plans to require at least 6 percent of the directors of these companies.