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Japan Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Eases
Japan’s unemployment rate fell to 2.5% in April 2026, below both market expectations and March’s 2.7% reading. The figure marked the lowest jobless rate since July 2025, as the number of unemployed decreased by 70 thousand to an eight-month low of 1.79 million. Meantime, employment jumped by 610 thousand to a record high of 68.76 million, while the labor force increased 53 thousand to a record 70.55 million. The number of people outside the labor force declined by 540 thousand to a record low of 39.00 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate was up to 64.4% from 63.6% in March and 63.7% a year earlier. Simultaneously, the jobs-to-applicants ratio held steady at 1.18, in line with forecasts.
Published on 2026-05-28

Japan Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Eases
Japan’s unemployment rate fell to 2.5% in April 2026, below both market expectations and March’s 2.7% reading. The figure marked the lowest jobless rate since July 2025.
Published on 2026-05-28

Japan Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Edges Up to 2.7%
Japan’s unemployment rate rose to 2.7% in March 2026, slightly above market expectations and up from 2.6% in the previous month. The number of unemployed increased by 10 thousand to 1.86 million. Meanwhile, employment declined by 120 thousand to an 11-month low of 68.15 million, while the labor force shrank by 100 thousand to a seven-month low of 70.02 million. The number of people outside the labor force rose by 80 thousand to a seven-month high of 39.54 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate edged up to 63.6% from 63.5% in February and was slightly higher than 63.3% a year earlier. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio stood at 1.18, in line with forecasts but easing from 1.19 in February.
Published on 2026-04-27

Japan Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Edges Up to 2.7%
Japan’s unemployment rate rose to 2.7% in March 2026, slightly above market expectations and up from 2.6% in the previous month. The number of unemployed increased by 10 thousand to 1.86 million. Meanwhile, employment declined by 120 thousand to an 11-month low of 68.15 million, while the labor force shrank by 100 thousand to a seven-month low of 70.02 million. The number of people outside the labor force rose by 80 thousand to a seven-month high of 39.54 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate edged up to 63.6% from 63.5% in February and was slightly higher than 63.3% a year earlier. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio stood at 1.18, in line with forecasts but easing from 1.19 in February.
Published on 2026-04-27

Japan Jobless Rate Eases to 2.6% in February
Japan’s unemployment rate was at 2.6% in February 2026, compared with January's 1-1/2-year high and market forecasts of 2.7%. The number of unemployed fell by 60 thousand to 1.85 million. Meantime, employment added 10 thousand to 68.27 million, while the labor force increased 40 thousand to 70.12 million. The number of people outside the labor force edged up 10 thousand to a five-month high of 39.46 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate was at 63.5%, unchanged from January but up from 63.2% a year earlier. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio stood at 1.19, slightly above both January’s reading and forecasts of 1.18.
Published on 2026-03-30

Japan Jobless Rate Highest in 1-1/2 Years
Japan’s unemployment rate was at 2.7% in January 2026, edging higher from figures in the prior five months and market forecasts of 2.6% and, marking the highest level since July 2024. The number of unemployed grew by 60 thousand to a 4-year high of 1.91 million. Meanwhile, employment fell by 290 thousand to 68.17 million, while the labor force dropped 210 thousand to a five-month low of 70.08 million. The number of people outside the labor force increased by 170 thousand to a four-month high of 39.45 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate increased to 63.5%, down from 63.9% in December but up from 63.2% a year earlier. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio stood at 1.18, compared with December's reading and estimates of 1.19.
Published on 2026-03-02

Japan Jobless Rate Highest in 1-1/2 Years
Japan’s unemployment rate was at 2.7% in January 2026, edging higher from figures in the the prior five months and market forecasts of 2.6% and marking the highest level since July 2024. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio stood at 1.18, compared with December's reading and estimates of 1.19.
Published on 2026-03-02

Japan Jobless Rate Highest in 1-1/2 Years
Japan’s unemployment rate was at 2.7% in January 2026, edging higher from figures in the prior five months and market forecasts of 2.6% and, marking the highest level since July 2024. The number of unemployed grew by 60 thousand to a 48-month high of 1.91 million. Meanwhile, employment fell by 290 thousand to 68.17 million, while the labor force dropped 210 thousand to a five-month low of 70.08 million. The number of people outside the labor force increased by 170 thousand to a four-month high of 39.45 million. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio stood at 1.18, compared with December's reading and estimates of 1.19.
Published on 2026-03-02

Japan Jobless Rate Highest in 1-1/2 Years
Japan’s unemployment rate was at 2.7% in January 2026, edging higher from figures in the prior five months and market forecasts of 2.6% and, marking the highest level since July 2024. The number of unemployed grew by 60 thousand to a 48-month high of 1.91 million. Meanwhile, employment fell by 290 thousand to 68.17 million, while the labor force dropped 210 thousand to a five-month low of 70.08 million. The number of people outside the labor force increased by 170 thousand to a four-month high of 39.45 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate increased to 63.5%, down from 63.9% in December but up from 63.2% a year earlier. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio stood at 1.18, compared with December's reading and estimates of 1.19.
Published on 2026-03-02

Japan Jobless Rate Stays at 2.6% for 5th Month
Japan’s unemployment rate held at 2.6% in December 2025, unchanged for a fourth consecutive month and in line with market expectations. The figure remained the highest since July 2024, as the number of unemployed grew by 50 thousand to a 17-month high of 1.86 million. Meanwhile, employment fell by 50 thousand to 68.46 million, while the labor force dropped 50 thousand to 70.31 million. The number of people outside the labor force increased by 50 thousand to 39.27 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate stood at 63.9%, down from 64.1% November but up from 63.4% a year earlier. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio edged up to 1.19 from a near three-year low in the prior two months, slightly above the expected 1.18.
Published on 2026-01-29

Japan Jobless Rate Stays at 2.6% for 5th Month
Japan’s unemployment rate held at 2.6% in December 2025, unchanged for a fourth consecutive month and in line with market expectations. The figure remained the highest since July 2024. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio edged up to 1.19 from a near three-year low in the prior two months, slightly above the expected 1.18.
Published on 2026-01-29

Japan Jobless Rate Stays at 2.6% for 5th Month
Japan’s unemployment rate held at 2.6% in December 2025, unchanged for a fourth consecutive month and in line with market expectations. The figure remained the highest since July 2024, as the number of unemployed grew by 50 thousand to 1.86 million. Meanwhile, employment fell by 50 thousand to 68.46 million, while the labor force dropped 50 thousand to 70.31 million. The number of people outside the labor force increased by 50 thousand to 39.27 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate stood at 63.9%, down from 64.1% November but up from 63.4% a year earlier. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio edged up to 1.19 from a near three-year low in the prior two months, slightly above the expected 1.18.
Published on 2026-01-29

Japan Jobless Rate Stays at 2.6% for 5th Month
Japan’s unemployment rate held at 2.6% in December 2025, unchanged for a fourth consecutive month and in line with market expectations. The figure remained the highest since July 2024, as the number of unemployed grew by 50 thousand to a 17-month high of 1.86 million. Meanwhile, employment fell by 50 thousand to 68.46 million, while the labor force dropped 50 thousand to 70.31 million. The number of people outside the labor force increased by 50 thousand to 39.27 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate stood at 63.9%, down from 64.1% November but up from 63.4% a year earlier. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio edged up to 1.19 from a near three-year low in the prior two months, slightly above the expected 1.18.
Published on 2026-01-29

Japan Jobless Rate Stays at 2.6% for 4th Month
Japan’s unemployment rate stood at 2.6% in November 2025, unchanged from the previous three months and in line with market estimates. It remained the highest reading since July 2024, as the number of unemployed declined by 40 thousand to 1.81 million. Meanwhile, employment rose by 500 thousand to another record high of 68.51 million, while the labor force edged up 20 thousand to 70.32 million. The number of people outside the labor force increased by 10 thousand to 39.32 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate stood at 64.1%, inched lower from 64.2% October but up from 63.5% a year earlier. At the same time, the jobs-to-applicants ratio remained unchanged at 1.18, staying at its lowest level since January 2022 and aligning with consensus.
Published on 2025-12-25

Japan Jobless Rate Stays at 2.6% for 4th Month
Japan’s unemployment rate stood at 2.6% in November 2025, unchanged from the previous three months and in line with market estimates. It remained the highest reading since July 2024.
Published on 2025-12-25

Japan Jobless Rate Stays at 2.6% for 4th Month
Japan’s unemployment rate stood at 2.6% in November 2025, unchanged from the previous three months and in line with market estimates. It remained the highest reading since July 2024, as the number of unemployed declined by 40 thousand to 1.81 million. Meanwhile, employment rose by 500 thousand to a record high of 68.51 million, while the labor force edged up 20 thousand to 70.32 million. The number of people outside the labor force increased by 10 thousand to 39.32 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate stood at 64.1%, inched lower from October but up from 63.5% a year earlier. At the same time, the jobs-to-applicants ratio remained unchanged at 1.18, staying at its lowest level since January 2022.
Published on 2025-12-25

Japan Jobless Rate Stays at 2.6% for 4th Month
Japan’s unemployment rate stood at 2.6% in November 2025, unchanged from the previous three months and in line with market estimates. It remained the highest reading since July 2024, as the number of unemployed declined by 40 thousand to 1.81 million. Meanwhile, employment rose by 500 thousand to a record high of 68.51 million, while the labor force edged up 20 thousand to 70.32 million. The number of people outside the labor force increased by 10 thousand to 39.32 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate stood at 64.1%, inched lower from October but up from 63.5% a year earlier. At the same time, the jobs-to-applicants ratio remained unchanged at 1.18, staying at its lowest level since January 2022 and aligning with consensus.
Published on 2025-12-25

Japan Jobless Rate Stays at 2.6% for 4th Month
Japan’s unemployment rate stood at 2.6% in November 2025, unchanged from the previous three months and in line with market estimates. It remained the highest reading since July 2024, as the number of unemployed declined by 40 thousand to 1.81 million. Meanwhile, employment rose by 500 thousand to another record high of 68.51 million, while the labor force edged up 20 thousand to 70.32 million. The number of people outside the labor force increased by 10 thousand to 39.32 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate stood at 64.1%, inched lower from October but up from 63.5% a year earlier. At the same time, the jobs-to-applicants ratio remained unchanged at 1.18, staying at its lowest level since January 2022 and aligning with consensus.
Published on 2025-12-25

Japan Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 2.6% for 3rd Month
Japan’s unemployment rate stood at 2.6% in October 2025, unchanged from the previous two months but slightly above market expectations of 2.5%. It remained the highest reading since July 2024, as the number of unemployed increased by 40 thousand to a near four-year high of 1.85 million. Meanwhile, employment rose by 120 thousand to a record high of 68.46 million, while the labor force expanded by 160 thousand to 70.30 million. The number of people outside the labor force decreased by 150 thousand to 39.31 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate stood at 64.2%, flat from September but up from 63.5% a year earlier. At the same time, the jobs-to-applicants ratio fell to 1.18, the lowest level since January 2022, from 1.20 in September.
Published on 2025-11-27

Japan Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 2.6% for 3rd Month
Japan’s unemployment rate stood at 2.6% in October 2025, unchanged from the previous two months but slightly above market expectations of 2.5%. It remained the highest reading since July 2024. At the same time, the jobs-to-applicants ratio fell to 1.18, the lowest level since January 2022, from 1.20 in September.
Published on 2025-11-27