Japan Employment

Data Employment

Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan
Source Link: https://www.stat.go.jp/
Frequency: Monthly
Next Release(s): August 28th, 2025 6:30 PM

Latest Updates

Japan’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 2.5% in June for the fourth straight month, in line with consensus expectations.
- Total employment fell -50k, down -0.1% MoM, while total unemployment was basically unchanged.
- The prime age labor force increased again, up 0.4 ppts MoM and up 0.7 ppts YoY to 82.7%.
- The prime age employment rate continued to increase as well, up 0.5 ppts MoM and 0.9 ppts YoY to 80.6%.
Japan’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 2.5% in May, in line with consensus expectations.
- Total employment increased 330k, up 0.5% MoM, and total unemployment fell -40k, or -2.3% MoM.
- The prime age labor force participation rate increased 0.3 ppts to 82.3%, adding to the strong 0.6 ppts increase in April.
- The prime age employment rate increased 0.4 ppts over the month and 1.1 ppts over the last year to 80.1%.
Japan’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 2.5% in April which is in line with consensus expectations.
- Total employment fell -40k or -0.1% MoM, and total unemployment increased 30k or 1.7% MoM.
- The prime age labor force participation rate increased 0.6 ppts to 82.0% after falling in the first quarter of the year.
- The prime age employment rate bounced back to 79.7%, after falling to the lowest since May 2024 in March.
Japan’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 ppt to 2.5% in March, slightly above expectations of the rate staying unchanged at 2.4%.
- Total employment fell -80k or -0.1% MoM, and total unemployment increased 50k or 3.0% MoM.
- The labor force participation rate remained unchanged at 81.3%, the lowest in over a year.
- The prime age employment rate ticked down again, dropping -0.2 ppts to 79.1%, the lowest since May 2024.
Japan’s unemployment rate fell -0.1 ppt to 2.4% in February, the lowest rate since September 2024 and slightly below forecasts that saw the rate staying at 2.5%.
- Total employment fell -110k or -0.2% MoM, and total unemployment fell -60k or -3.4% MoM.
- The labor force participation rate continued to fall, down -0.4 ppts to 81.3%, the lowest since December 2023.
- Alongside the drop in participation was a drop in the employment rate of -0.4 ppts to 79.3, the lowest since April 2024.
Japan’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 2.5% in January, slightly above expectations of a 2.4% reading. The rate has remained unchanged for four straight months.
- Total employment increased by 130k, and total unemployment increased by 20k to 1.74 million.
- The labor force participation rate fell -0.3 ppts to 81.7%, the lowest since May 2024.
- With the drop in participation, the employment rate also fell -0.3 ppts to 79.7%, the lowest since July 2024.
Japan’s unemployment rate ticked down -0.1 ppt to 2.4%, below expectations that it would remain at 2.5% in December. Employment increased by 140,000 while unemployed declined by -20,000 and about -200,000 left the labor force. Despite the decline in the labor force in December, prime age labor force participation increased 0.2 ppts to 82.0%. The employment rate also increased by 0.2 ppts to 80.0%. A strong labor market will continue to support wage growth in Japan.
Japan’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 2.5% in November as expected. Total employment increased 100,000 while unemployment increased just 10k. The prime age labor force participation rate was 81.8%, up 0.5 ppts from a year ago. The prime age employment rate has seen a similar move of 0.5 ppts in the last year to 79.8%.