TOKYO -- Most restaurant operators in Japan say securing part-time workers is difficult amid intensifying competition with convenience stores and other industries, with some having to close down due to a lack of labor.

A Nikkei Inc. poll of restaurant operators shows that 84.7% of the respondents had a harder time finding workers in fiscal 2013 than in the previous year. Of the total, 68% said the shortage is nationwide, while 16.7% said it only affects specific geographical areas. The combined percentage was up 25 points from the previous year and 45 points higher than two years earlier.

Major restaurant operator Watami plans to close 60 locations this fiscal year due to lack of staff. And this spring, beef bowl outlet operator Zensho Holdings had to temporarily shutter more than 120 sites.

In an effort to secure workers, Tully's Coffee Japan starting June 1 will raise hourly wages by 10 yen to 30 yen (10 cents to 29 cents) for workers with in-house certification on coffee beans and how to brew them. The change will apply to directly run locations, which account for some 40% of its roughly 560 stores. "We hope to secure highly trained workers by boosting their morale," said President Kizuku Ogita.

Dynac, a Suntory Holdings unit that operates Japanese-style taverns, started opening this year smaller chicken restaurants in greater Tokyo that require half the floor space -- just 70 sq. meters -- and half the workforce compared with conventional counterparts. The plan is to set up five or so such eateries each year.

The company is also helping restaurants find part-timers by searching for applicants and matching them to respective locations. Previously, each restaurant had to find workers on their own.

The Nikkei survey shows that 62.2% of the respondents raised hourly wages in fiscal 2013, while 36% reported no change. None of the companies cut wages.

Of all the companies that upgraded wages, 58.7% cited increases of less than 3%, while 26.8% said they were 3-5%. And 11.6% said they raised wages by 5% or more.

The survey was conducted via the Internet through late April, collecting responses from 305 companies.

(Nikkei)