Japan's job availability ratio in FY2020 sees largest decline in 46 years

with the unemployment rate up for the first time in 11 years, reflecting the serious impact of the coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Friday.

So what government will do? Is it really need to wait until actual data shows? This is something that can be recognized before.

There are still more jobs than applicants -- 110 openings for every 100 seekers - which is too much anyway.

Nonregular workers decreased 970,000 to 20.66 million, the first fall since comparable data became available in fiscal 2014. They bore the brunt as more firms, especially in the services sector that is highly dependent on part-time employees, were forced to lay people off and refrain from offering contract renewals during the pandemic.

The total number of nonregular workers decreased , because subsidy receiving companies fired staff.

As a percentage of the total labor force I would reckon it is increasing. In this economy, staff you can downsize by slashing their wage hours to zero are an asset for companies.

Your government officials working hard to assist you on the race to the bottom.

The number of unemployed people increased 360,000 to 1.98 million, and that of people in work dropped 690,000 to 66.64 million.

So roughly close to 50 million people here, do not work. There are close to 15 million people between the ages of 0- 14, then a bit over 74 million 15-64, and roughly 34.5 million that are over the age of 65.

Take a close look at the numbers and NEVER included in the statistic reporting here is the people NOT looking for work. This "number" of unemployed is those actively pursuing a job through the government agency "Hello Work".

Japan doesn’t have a labor shortage. What is does have is a lack of secure jobs that pay a living wage. Raise wages and watch the applicants raise their hands. Wages are pitiful for most jobs here, hence employers not being able to recruit and retain quality people.

Take a close look at the numbers and NEVER included in the statistic reporting here is the people NOT looking for work. This "number" of unemployed is those actively pursuing a job through the government agency "Hello Work"

Yubaru: excellent thoughts, but I think (correct me if I am wrong) that it's worse than that: Only people who have paid into the "unemployment insurance system" while working full-time, and are therefore collecting unemployment benefits through Hello Work while looking for a new job, are classified as being unemployed. By the way, the unemployment benefit (70% of your wage?) lasts for 3-6 months, from memory. After that, if you have no job, you're basically in your own (and not counted as unemployed anymore) :(

I was one of them, back in the day.

"It means there were 110 job openings for every 100 job seekers."

In other words, everyone who wants a jobs has a job.

Tora

Maybe if you are a foreigner it lasts for only a few months ;)

@SimpleJack

It means there were 110 job openings for every 100 job seekers."In other words, everyone who wants a jobs has a job.

No guarantee of a living wage or decent working conditions though.

Tora

Maybe if you are a foreigner it lasts for only a few months ;)

No, that's how it works. And the duration of the benefit depends on how long you worked. I think after 5 years of paying in through deductions from your pay packet you get maximum of 6 months? And to qualify of you have to report to Hello Work each month to show you are looking for work. After that, you're on your own.

Have to look it up...but it's really a residual safety net system here, especially regarding unemployment. Huge societal stigma in japan regarding unemployment in general doesn't help either.

There are a lot of companies in Japan who are taking advantage of COVID and offering jobs with low pay. Some actually want you to work for FREE to prove you can do the job.

Maybe if you are a foreigner it lasts for only a few months ;)

If you mean 3, you are TOTALLY are the mark about "foreigners" here! It's got NOTHING to do with your nationality! And it just sounds like you are looking to stir the pot!

Japanese and foreigners alike, it depends upon how long you worked for a specific business!