Japan’s unemployment rate inched up to 2.5% in August 2026 from July’s 12-month low, slightly above market expectations of 2.4%. The number of unemployed rose by 100 thousand to 1.77 million, while employment added 300 thousand to 68.34 million. The labor force also shrank by 110 thousand to 70.09 million. Meanwhile, people outside the labor force fell by 70 thousand to 39.35 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate edged higher to 64.2% from 64.1% in July and 64.0% a year earlier, suggesting labor supply remained relatively firm. Separately, the jobs-to-applicants ratio held steady at 1.18 for the third straight month, in line with consensus, indicating continued tightness in labor demand. source: Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications

Unemployment Rate in Japan increased to 2.50 percent in August from 2.40 percent in July of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Japan averaged 2.71 percent from 1953 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 5.50 percent in June of 2002 and a record low of 1.00 percent in November of 1968. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Japan Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on October of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Japan increased to 2.50 percent in August from 2.40 percent in July of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Japan is expected to be 2.60 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Japan Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 2.50 percent in 2027 and 2.30 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-08-27 11:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Jul 2.4% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5%
2026-10-01 11:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Aug 2.5% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4%
2026-10-29 11:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Sep 2.5% 2.5% 2.60%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employment Rate 62.50 62.60 percent Aug 2026
Jobs/applications ratio 1.18 1.18 Aug 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 64.20 64.10 percent Aug 2026
Unemployment Rate 2.50 2.40 percent Aug 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 3.50 3.40 percent Aug 2026


Japan Unemployment Rate
In Japan, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
2.50 2.40 5.50 1.00 1953 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Japan Jobless Rate Edges Higher to 2.5%
Japan’s unemployment rate inched up to 2.5% in August 2026 from July’s 12-month low, slightly above market expectations of 2.4%. The number of unemployed rose by 100 thousand to 1.77 million, while employment added 300 thousand to 68.34 million. The labor force also shrank by 110 thousand to 70.09 million. Meanwhile, people outside the labor force fell by 70 thousand to 39.35 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate edged higher to 64.2% from 64.1% in July and 64.0% a year earlier, suggesting labor supply remained relatively firm. Separately, the jobs-to-applicants ratio held steady at 1.18 for the third straight month, in line with consensus, indicating continued tightness in labor demand.
2026-10-01
Japan Jobless Rate Lowest in A Year
Japan's unemployment rate edged down to 2.4% in July 2026 from 2.5% in each of the previous three months, coming in below market expectations of the same level. It was the lowest reading since July 2025. The number of unemployed fell by 80 thousand to a one-year low of 1.67 million, while employment declined by 150 thousand to a four-month low of 68.31 million. The labor force also shrank by 240 thousand to an 11-month low of 69.98 million. Meanwhile, the number of people outside the labor force rose by 30 thousand to 39.42 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate eased to 64.1% from 64.4% in June, though it remained above 63.9% a year earlier. Separately, the jobs-to-applicants ratio held steady at 1.18, unchanged from June and slightly below forecasts of 1.19.
2026-08-27
Japan Jobless Rate Steady at 2.5% for Third Straight Month
Japan's unemployment rate held steady at 2.5% in June 2026, unchanged for a third consecutive month and in line with market expectations, remaining at its lowest level since July 2025. The number of unemployed rose by 10 thousand to 1.75 million, while employment fell by 360 thousand to a three-month low of 68.46 million. The labor force also shrank by 350 thousand to 70.22 million, suggesting the stable jobless rate was largely driven by a smaller workforce rather than stronger hiring. Meanwhile, the number of people outside the labor force increased by 430 thousand to a three-month high of 39.39 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate eased to 64.4% from 64.6% in May, though it remained above 64.2% recorded a year earlier. Separately, the jobs-to-applicants ratio unexpectedly edged up to 1.18 from 1.17, slightly exceeding market forecasts and indicating labor demand remained resilient despite softer employment figures.
2026-07-30