TOKYO – The availability of jobs last year marked the sharpest fall in 45 years in Japan, while the country’s jobless rate rose for the first time in 11 years, owing to the downside effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic, reported Xinhua news agency.
In a Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry report today, the ministry said the job availability ratio fell 0.42 point to 1.18, equating to there being 118 job openings for every 100 people seeking work.
It said the figure marked the fastest slide since a 0.59 point drop was booked in 1975, with the figure marking the lowest level since 2014.
Separately, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry said the jobless rate last year stood at 2.8%, rising 0.4% from the previous year, to book the first increase since 2009.
The statistics bureau also said the number of unemployed people last year increased by 290,000 to 1.91 million people, another 11-year high, while the number of employed people dropped by 480,000 to 66.76 million, marking the first decline in eight years.
The number of employees furloughed surged by 800,000 to 2.56 million, owing to the virus’ spread.
Ministry data shows that the figure marked the highest level since comparable data became available in 1968.
Latest data reveals that for the month of December, the unemployment rate stood at 2.9%, while the job availability ratio came in at 1.06, with both figures remaining unchanged from the previous month.
“The data shows a continued significant impact from the coronavirus pandemic on the labour market. We will closely monitor developments,” Internal Affairs and Communications minister Ryota Takeda said. – Bernama, January 29, 2021
