TOKYO (Reuters) -Labour unions at major Japanese auto manufacturers will seek monthly pay hikes of 12,000 yen ($79.15) or more in annual spring wage negotiations next year, the unions' group said on Wednesday.

This is the first time in seven years that the group, the Confederation of Japan Automobile Workers' Unions, has presented a specific target for the labour talks.

The group decided to revive the actual target to give guidance that smaller unions, such as those at component makers, can leverage in their negotiations, its executives told a news conference.

The group has 12 unions, including the Toyota Motor Workers' Union, under its umbrella, with 784,000 workers in total.

Japan's largest labour union group Rengo, which has the auto unions group under its umbrella, is seeking wage hikes of at least 5% in 2025, similar to this year's hefty increase.

($1 = 151.6100 yen)