Japan’s job market stays tight, supporting wage momentum

japantimes.co.jpPublished: 5/2/2025

Summary

Japan’s labor market showed signs of continued strength in March, with the jobless rate rising slightly and the job-to-applicant ratio indicating tight competition as companies strive to attract and retain workers. This resilience in demand amid global trade uncertainties will likely keep upward pressure on wages, with businesses increasingly competing to offer higher pay packages to hire and retain talent.