Japan Unemployment Rate

Japan’s unemployment rate stood at 2.4% in December 2024, less than market consensus and November's readings of 2.5%. The number of unemployed added 20 thousand to 1.70 million while employment increased by 140 thousand to a new peak of 68.22 million. The labor force rose by 140 thousand to 69.94 million, and those detached from the labor force decreased by 200 thousand to 39.84 million. The non-seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate increased to 63.4% in November from 62.8% in the same month a year earlier. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applications ratio was at 1.25 in December, holding steady for the third month running and matching estimates. The latest result remained at its highest level in six months.