Japan unveils plan to raise pay, tackle overtime

Tokyo

JAPAN'S government laid out a plan on Tuesday that improves pay for contract employees but takes a soft-touch approach to reigning in the country's notoriously long working hours.

The plan is a crucial part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's labour reforms, which he has touted as a way to narrow the wealth gap and make it easier for more women, the elderly and the young to join the workforce.

Raising pay should be a welcome boost to consumption, but reducing …