FX.co ★ Japan Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Declines

In February 2025, Japan's unemployment rate experienced a slight decrease, dropping to 2.4% from January's 2.5%, contrary to predictions that it would remain unchanged. The count of unemployed individuals saw a 3.4% decline, equating to 60,000 fewer people, bringing the total to 1.68 million. Likewise, the employment figure diminished by 0.2%, or 110,000 individuals, down to 68.16 million. Correspondingly, the labor force itself contracted by 0.2%, a reduction of 150,000, totaling 69.86 million, while the number of individuals not participating in the labor force increased by 0.3%, or 100,000, reaching 39.91 million. The labor force participation rate, not seasonally adjusted, was recorded at 63.2% for February. Simultaneously, despite predictions, the jobs-to-applications ratio slightly decreased from 1.26 in January to 1.24 in February.