July 31, 2010

The unemployment rate in June 2010, seasonally adjusted, was 5.3%, an increase by 0.1 point from the previous month. The increase in the unemployment rate has continued for four consecutive months.
In particular, the jobless rate for the age group from 15 to 24 years old was 11.1% in June, the worst in the history.
This was made public by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on July 30.

According to the ministry’s report on the result of the labor force survey in June, the number of employed persons was 62.8 million, a decrease of 200 thousand or 0.3% from the previous year.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor on July 30 reported that the ratio of registered job openings to registered job applications in June was 0.52, remaining at a very low level.

The government, in its monthly economic assessment for July, states that “the economy has been picking up steadily and the foundation for a self-sustaining recovery is being laid.” However, the fact that the unemployment rate has been steadily increasing shows that corporations are not fulfilling their responsibility to provide employment, earning increased profits by cutting labor costs.
- Akahata, July 31, 2010