labor

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Unemployment increases

Japan's official unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent in July, up 0.2 points from the previous month, while the percentage of part-time and temporary workers increased to 32.3 percent.

The monthly employment survey is published by the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, and Posts and Telecommunications.

People 15 and older who were looking for jobs during the last week of the month surveyed are defined as "unemployed." At present about three million people are out of jobs by this definition.

The latest survey also shows that the unemployment rate among those in the prime of their working life (between 35 and 44) was 4.0 percent, up 0.4 points from the previous month.

The unemployment rate among young people between 15 and 24 remained high at 8.3 percent although the rate improved by 1.1 points as compared with the previous month.

The survey also reveals that the average monthly percentage of part-time and temporary workers among all workers stood at 32.3 percent.

The number of workers who work longer than 49 hours a week increased in July by 60 thousand to 18.2 million. -- Akahata, August 31, 2005