Japan Job Availability Ratio Falls in FY 2023

   Tokyo, April 30 (Jiji Press)--Japan's average ratio of effective job openings to seekers fell 0.02 point in fiscal 2023 from the previous year to 1.29, the first decline in three years, the labor ministry said Tuesday.
   Employers reduced job openings as soaring materials prices weighed on earnings. The ratio represents the number of jobs available to each applicant at Hello Work public job placement offices across the country.
   Separately, the internal affairs ministry said that the average jobless rate was 2.6 pct in the year ended last March, unchanged from the previous year.
   The number of effective job openings fell 1.6 pct to 2.47 million people, led by decreases at construction companies and manufacturers struggling with rising inflation.
   Job growth is sluggish because companies have ramped up labor-saving investment, a labor ministry official said.

(2024/04/30-12:01)