Japanese government data shows workers earned higher wages in October compared to a year earlier although inflation offset any real gains.

The labor ministry says average wages adjusted for inflation were flat for the month.

They saw an increase in June for the first time in 27 months, as summer bonuses kicked in. But the figures have fallen for the two months since August.

The data comes from a nationwide survey of about 30,000 businesses with at least five employees.

The ministry says monthly average income including base pay and overtime came in at over 293,401 yen, or roughly 1,950 dollars.

That's up 2.6 percent in yen terms from a year earlier, marking an increase for the 34th consecutive month.

Base pay rose 2.7 percent to more than 265,537 yen or nearly 1,770 dollars. That's the highest growth in nearly 32 years.

Officials say recent annual-wage negotiations seem to have resulted in higher pay, yet commodity prices also continue to soar.

They note that Japan's minimum wage was raised and went into effect from October.