News

Japan Unemployment Rate Inches Up to 2.6%
The unemployment rate in Japan edged up to 2.6 percent in April 2020 compared to 2.5 percent in the prior month and market expectations of 2.7 percent. It is the highest jobless rate since December of 2017 as the number of unemployed increased by 3.5 percent to 1.78 million while employment declined by 1.6 percent to 66.25 million. The jobs-to-applications ratio declined sharply to 1.32, the lowest since March 2016, as the Covid-19 crisis escalated.
Published on 2020-05-28

Japan Unemployment Rate Inches Up to 1-Year High
The unemployment rate in Japan edged up to 2.5 percent in March 2020, the highest in a year and in line with market consensus, as the number of unemployed increased by 3.6 percent to 1.72 million while employment declined by 0.2 percent to 67.32 million. The jobs-to-applications ratio declined sharply to 1.39 to the lowest level since September 2016 as the Covid-19 crisis escalated.
Published on 2020-04-28

Japan Jobless Rate Unchanged in February
The unemployment rate in Japan stood at 2.4 percent in February 2020 to match consensus, as the number of unemployed increased by 1.2 percent to 1.66 million while employment was unchanged at 67.43 million. The jobs-to-applications ratio declined sharply to 1.45, the lowest in three years. Unemployment has stoically resisted fourteen straight months of falling Japanese exports in the midst of trade disputes and a downturn in the global manufacturing cycle led by the automotive and semiconductors industries.
Published on 2020-03-30

Japan Unemployment Rate Climbs to 2.4%
The unemployment rate in Japan climbed to 2.4 percent in January 2020 from 2.2 percent in the previous month, amid renewed economic weakness and calls for stimulus to combat declining global growth as the coronavirus outbreak intensifies. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applications ratio declined sharply to 1.49, the lowest since May 2017. Unemployment has stoically resisted thirteen straight months of falling Japanese exports in the midst of trade disputes and a downturn in the global manufacturing cycle led by the automotive and semiconductors industries.
Published on 2020-02-27

Japan Unemployment Rate Steady at 2.2%
The unemployment rate in Japan remained unchanged at 2.2 percent in December 2019, slightly below market expectations of 2.3 percent, amid the ongoing labour shortage due to the rapidly graying population. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applications ratio also remained unchanged at 1.57 (versus consensus of 1.56). Unemployment has stoically resisted thirteen straight months of falling Japanese exports in the midst of trade disputes and a downturn in the global manufacturing cycle led by the automotive and semiconductors industries. The annual average jobless rate for 2019 stood at 2.4 percent, unchanged from 2018 and the lowest level since 1992.
Published on 2020-01-30

Japan Unemployment Rate Falls to 2.2%
The unemployment rate in Japan declined to 2.2 percent in November 2019 from 2.4 percent in the previous month, well below market expectations of 2.4 percent and matching a three-month low. The jobs-to-applications ratio remained unchanged at 1.57 and matched consensus.
Published on 2019-12-26

Japan Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 2.4%
The unemployment rate in Japan remained steady at 2.4 percent in October 2019, matching market expectations despite steep declines in industrial production and exports in October. The jobs-to-applications ratio remained unchanged at 1.57, slightly above market expectations of 1.56.
Published on 2019-11-29

Japan Unemployment Rate Climbs to 2.4%
The unemployment rate in Japan rose to 2.4 percent in September 2019, rebounding from near 30-year lows and topping market expectations of 2.3 percent. The jobs-to-applications ratio fell to 1.57, the lowest since November 2017 and below market expectations of 1.59.
Published on 2019-10-31

Japan Jobless Rate Still at 26-Year Low
The unemployment rate in Japan remained unchanged at 2.2 percent in August 2019, the lowest since October 1992 and below market expectations of 2.3 percent. The jobs-to-applications ratio also remained steady at 1.59, the lowest since March 2018 but above market expectations of 1.58.
Published on 2019-09-30

Japan Jobless Rate Falls to 26-Year Low
The unemployment rate in Japan fell to 2.2 percent in July 2019, the lowest since October 1992 and below market expectations of 2.4 percent. The jobs-to-applications ratio declined to 1.59, the lowest since March 2018 and also below consensus of 1.61.
Published on 2019-08-29

Japan Jobless Rate Falls to 4-Month Low of 2.3%
The unemployment rate in Japan decreased to a 4-month low of 2.3 percent in June 2019 from 2.4 percent in May and compared to market expectations of 2.4 percent. The jobs-to-applications ratio declined to 1.61 from 1.62 in the previous month and slightly below market consensus of 1.62.
Published on 2019-07-30

Japan Unemployment Rate Stays at 2.4%
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Japan remained at 2.4 percent in May 2019, matching market expectations. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio edged down to 1.62 from 1.63 in the previous month and market expectations also of 1.63.
Published on 2019-06-27

Japan Unemployment Rate Drops to 2.4%
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Japan declined to 2.4 percent in April 2019, after climbing 20 bps to 2.5 percent in the previous month and matching market expectations. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio remained unchanged at a high level of 1.63 to also match expectations.
Published on 2019-05-31

Japan March Jobless Rate Above Estimates
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Japan increased unexpectedly to 2.5 percent in March 2019 from a five-month low of 2.3 percent in the previous month while markets had expected 2.4 percent. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio remained unchanged at a high level of 1.63 but slightly below consensus of 1.64.
Published on 2019-04-25

Japan Jobless Rate Falls to 5-Month Low
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Japan dropped unexpectedly to 2.3 percent in February 2019 from 2.5 percent in the previous month while markets had expected 2.5 percent. It was the lowest jobless rate since September last year. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio remained unchanged at 1.63 and in line with consensus.
Published on 2019-03-28

Japan Jobless Rate Inches Higher to 2.5% in January
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Japan edged up to 2.5 percent in January 2019 from 2.4 percent in the previous month and slightly above market expectations of 2.4 percent. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio remained unchanged at 1.63 and in line with consensus.
Published on 2019-02-28

Japan Jobless Rate Edges Down to 2.4%
The unemployment rate in Japan inched lower to 2.4 percent in December 2018 from 2.5 percent in the previous month and matching market expectations. The number of unemployed declined 3.5 percent and employment dropped 0.7 percent. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio remained unchanged at 1.63 and in line with consensus.
Published on 2019-01-31

Japan Jobless Rate Rises to 2.5% in November
The unemployment rate in Japan edged up to 2.5 percent in November of 2018 from 2.4 percent in the previous month and slightly above market expectations of 2.4 percent. The number of unemployed rose 3 percent from a month earlier to 1.73 million in November and employment increased 0.4 percent to 67.13 million. Youth unemployment rate, measuring job-seekers between 15 and 24 years old, edged up to 3.5 percent in November from 3.4 percent in October. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio edged up to 1.63 from 1.62 in October to match expectations.
Published on 2018-12-27

Japan Unemployment Rate Edges Up to 2.4%
The unemployment rate in Japan edged up to 2.4 percent in October of 2018 from a 4-month low of 2.3 percent in the previous month and slightly above market expectations of 2.3 percent. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio fell unexpectedly to 1.62 from 1.64 in September and missing estimates of 1.65.
Published on 2018-11-29

Japan Unemployment Rate Edges Down
The unemployment rate in Japan edged down to 2.3 percent in September of 2018 from 2.4 percent in the previous month and slightly below market expectations of 2.4 percent. It was the lowest jobless rate since May. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio inched higher to 1.64 from 1.63 in September and was the the highest since January 1974.
Published on 2018-10-29