Employment and job openings · Japan
Japan Jobs/applications ratio
The Japan Jobs/applications ratio measures the change in the number of people employed in Japan, or the demand for workers (job openings, advertisements, layoffs announced).
- Importance
- Medium
- Released
- Monthly
- Next release
- Currency
- JPY · Japanese yen
- Central bank
- The Bank of Japan
Latest figures
The latest release for SEP, published on 29 October 2026, came in at 1.19, above the consensus of 1.18, up from 1.18 the time before.
A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the Japanese yen and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Over the last 12 releases it ranged from 1.17 to 1.19, averaging 1.18.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct 2026 | SEP | 1.19 | 1.18 | 1.18 |
| 1 Oct 2026 | AUG | 1.18 | 1.18 | 1.18 |
| 27 Aug 2026 | JUL | 1.18 | 1.19 | 1.18 |
| 30 Jul 2026 | JUN | 1.18 | 1.17 | 1.17 |
| 29 Jun 2026 | MAY | 1.17 | 1.18 | 1.18 |
| 28 May 2026 | APR | 1.18 | 1.18 | 1.18 |
| 27 Apr 2026 | MAR | 1.18 | 1.18 | 1.19 |
| 30 Mar 2026 | FEB | 1.19 | 1.18 | 1.18 |
| 2 Mar 2026 | JAN | 1.18 | 1.19 | 1.20 ® |
| 29 Jan 2026 | DEC | 1.19 | 1.18 | 1.18 |
| 25 Dec 2025 | NOV | 1.18 | 1.18 | 1.18 |
| 27 Nov 2025 | OCT | 1.18 | 1.20 | 1.20 |
Why it matters
Jobs drive income and spending, and a tight labour market pushes wages and inflation up. the Bank of Japan watches employment closely, so strong figures support the Japanese yen and weak ones raise the odds of rate cuts. Full-time jobs carry more weight than part-time.
How it is calculated
Most countries count employment from a household labour force survey; job openings come from employer surveys or job-board data; announced job cuts are tallied from company statements.
What changes mean
- Compare with the consensus and with population growth.
- Openings falling while employment holds up is the "soft landing" pattern central banks hope for.
- Quits rising means workers are confident they can find better-paid jobs: wage pressure ahead.
Higher than expected: A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the Japanese yen and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Lower than expected: A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the Japanese yen tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
A short history
Labour force surveys spread after the Second World War, following the US Current Population Survey (1940s); the US job openings survey (JOLTS) began in 2000.
Questions
What is the Japan Jobs/applications ratio?
The Japan Jobs/applications ratio measures the change in the number of people employed in Japan, or the demand for workers (job openings, advertisements, layoffs announced).
What was the latest Japan Jobs/applications ratio?
1.19 for SEP, published on 29 October 2026 (consensus 1.18, previous 1.18).
When is the next Japan Jobs/applications ratio?
On Monday 30 November 2026 at 23:30 UTC.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.