Japan job availability ratio drops to 1.24 in May
TOKYO: Japan’s job availability ratio in May dropped by 0.02 point from the previous month to 1.24, falling for the first time in three months, government data showed on Friday.
The latest nationwide job-to-applicant ratio means there were 124 jobs available for every 100 job seekers, as more workers sought better conditions amid persistent inflation, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
New job offers declined across most major sectors, with the hotel and restaurant sector falling 19.3% from a year earlier and wholesale and retail seeing an 11.1% drop.
Transport and postal services was the only industry to log an increase, edging up 0.1%, reflecting a chronic shortage of truck and other drivers.
Meanwhile, separate data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed the country’s unemployment rate in May remained unchanged for the third consecutive month at 2.5%.
By RSS/AFP
