Japan's unemployment rate edged down to 2.4% in July 2026 from 2.5% in each of the previous three months, coming in below market expectations of the same level. It was the lowest reading since July 2025. The number of unemployed fell by 80 thousand to a one-year low of 1.67 million, while employment declined by 150 thousand to a four-month low of 68.31 million. The labor force also shrank by 240 thousand to an 11-month low of 69.98 million. Meanwhile, the number of people outside the labor force rose by 30 thousand to 39.42 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate eased to 64.1% from 64.4% in June, though it remained above 63.9% a year earlier. Separately, the jobs-to-applicants ratio held steady at 1.18, unchanged from June and slightly below forecasts of 1.19. source: Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications

Unemployment Rate in Japan decreased to 2.40 percent in July from 2.50 percent in June of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Japan averaged 2.71 percent from 1953 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 5.50 percent in June of 2002 and a record low of 1.00 percent in November of 1968. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Japan Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on September of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Japan decreased to 2.40 percent in July from 2.50 percent in June of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Japan is expected to be 2.60 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Japan Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 2.50 percent in 2027 and 2.30 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-07-30 11:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Jun 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.50%
2026-08-27 11:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Jul 2.4% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5%
2026-10-01 11:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Aug 2.4%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employment Rate 62.60 62.80 percent Jul 2026
Jobs/applications ratio 1.18 1.18 Jul 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 64.10 64.40 percent Jul 2026
Unemployment Rate 2.40 2.50 percent Jul 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 3.40 4.20 percent Jul 2026


Japan Unemployment Rate
In Japan, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
2.40 2.50 5.50 1.00 1953 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Japan Jobless Rate Lowest in A Year
Japan's unemployment rate edged down to 2.4% in July 2026 from 2.5% in each of the previous three months, coming in below market expectations of the same level. It was the lowest reading since July 2025. The number of unemployed fell by 80 thousand to a one-year low of 1.67 million, while employment declined by 150 thousand to a four-month low of 68.31 million. The labor force also shrank by 240 thousand to an 11-month low of 69.98 million. Meanwhile, the number of people outside the labor force rose by 30 thousand to 39.42 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate eased to 64.1% from 64.4% in June, though it remained above 63.9% a year earlier. Separately, the jobs-to-applicants ratio held steady at 1.18, unchanged from June and slightly below forecasts of 1.19.
2026-08-27
Japan Jobless Rate Steady at 2.5% for Third Straight Month
Japan's unemployment rate held steady at 2.5% in June 2026, unchanged for a third consecutive month and in line with market expectations, remaining at its lowest level since July 2025. The number of unemployed rose by 10 thousand to 1.75 million, while employment fell by 360 thousand to a three-month low of 68.46 million. The labor force also shrank by 350 thousand to 70.22 million, suggesting the stable jobless rate was largely driven by a smaller workforce rather than stronger hiring. Meanwhile, the number of people outside the labor force increased by 430 thousand to a three-month high of 39.39 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate eased to 64.4% from 64.6% in May, though it remained above 64.2% recorded a year earlier. Separately, the jobs-to-applicants ratio unexpectedly edged up to 1.18 from 1.17, slightly exceeding market forecasts and indicating labor demand remained resilient despite softer employment figures.
2026-07-30
Japan Jobless Rate Holds at 2.5%
Japan's unemployment rate stood at 2.5% in May 2026, unchanged from the previous month and in line with market expectations. The rate remained at its lowest level since July 2025, as the number of unemployed fell by 50 thousand to a 10-month low of 1.74 million, while employment rose by 610 thousand to a record high of 68.82 million. The labor force also increased by 20 thousand to an all-time high of 70.57 million. Meanwhile, the number of people outside the labor force declined by 40 thousand to a record low of 38.96 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate edged up to 64.6%, from 64.4% in April and 64.0% a year earlier, indicating continued improvement in labor market participation. At the same time, the jobs-to-applicants ratio slipped to 1.17 from 1.18 in both March and April, marking the lowest reading in five months and suggesting hiring demand softened slightly despite the still-tight labor market.
2026-06-29