Job-to-Applicant Ratio and Affairs Communications

rate: The rate indicates that 151 positions were available for every 100 job seekers. ; In a fresh sign that labor is in short supply, the seasonally adjusted job-to-applicant ratio for regular workers stood at 1.01, rising above 1 for the first time since comparable data became available in 2004 and suggesting potential for future wage growth, according to The Japan Times. The jobless rate, meanwhile, fell to 2.8 percent in June from 3.1 percent the previous month, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said Friday. The seasonally adjusted job availability rate improved to 1.51 from 1.49 in May, marking the highest level since February 1974, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Separate data also released Friday showed consumption is gradually picking up. These data provided more evidence that the economy remains on a moderate recovery path. Household spending marked the first year-on-year gain in 16 months, rising 2.3 percent to 268,802 2,420 in June, according to the ministry. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.