Japan Oct. Jobless Rate: Updated Dec. 12, 2025.

Japan's October jobless rate unchanged from September at 2.6%

Article source: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20251128/p2g/00m/0bu/018000c

Ideas

Among advanced economies Japan usually has one of the lowest unemployment rates, but as suggested the number of jobless people is increasing which is kind of surprising as Japan has a supposed labor shortage and you would think there would be enough jobs for everyone.

And yes, as inflation continues in Japan women, especially married women with families need to work to help pay the bills as these days a one-income household doesn't go very far.

Back in the day, women in Japan used to quit their jobs when they got married as its seemed to be standard norm, but these days, as the economy is getting worse or not much better more women might be entering the workforce or continuing to work after they get married.

But as the same time the rate of those getting married might be much less than before as women want to have their own careers in Japan and don't want to be burdened down with marriage or even raising a family.

Not in the workforce used to mean not working, just going to university or something like that. But these days, as more young people are disillusioned some decide to drop out of society which might place a burden on families and parents. 

But as there is a supposed labor shortage and wages have been increasing, at least for the last two years, it might be enough to change the minds of those who didn't want to work but now suddenly feel the need to start working.

The number of people with jobs increased by 0.2 percent which is really not that much of an increase with jobs individuals increased to 2.2 percent was/is a important indicator as it might represent those who quit their previous jobs and are looks for a new job and they feel confident they can find an new job as again there is a supposed labor shortage in Japan.

While a increase of 460,000 how involuntarily left their jobs might be related to the AI situation but then again it might be something different such as the slow Japanese economy might be forcing companies to lay-off workers.

But then again, an increase of 500,00 seeking jobs again might be related to those who just left their jobs or those who voluntarily quite their jobs thinking it will be easy to get a new job soon.

And yes, as more self-checkout systems are being implemented in some businesses to lower cost and the increase in the minimum wage might mean less jobs are available now than before but a decrease of 0.02 percent is not really a change that can be considered important just yet.

So there are 1.18 jobs or 118 jobs available for every 100 applicant is still a very good number which means there are still a lot of jobs in Japan but the question should be what kind of jobs are really available as are they good full-time jobs with good benefits or are contract jobs or part-time jobs with little to no benefits.

Its quite possible, despite the idea of their being a labor shortage in Japan, the inflation situation with increased costs for most if not all companies is forcing companies to either lay-off workers and or reduce the hours or workers which might mean less new job offers from many companies in Japan.

With regard to the education sector its not really sure just what that is, as it is public school employees, private school employees, college and university employees, private tutoring academies as there is significant industry in after school private tutoring academies in Japan.

An increase in the minimum wage always helps those who work part-time and or work in the service industry which usually pay only the minimum wage or maybe a little more if that.

But its not good for some companies and especially service companies that are are already operating with thin profit margins and an increase in the minimum wage might force to them to reduce the hours of the workers they have and or reduce hiring of new workers.

This is at happened as is happening in South Korea now as the the government has been attempting to increase the minimum wage each each year for the past five years.

More and more companies are maybe considering self-check out kiosks, the use of AI to reduce costs if they can to get around the minimum wage situation or the overall increase in wages in Japan.

Have a nice day!