Japan Unemployment Rate stands at 2.50% as of May 2026, unchanged from 2.50% a year earlier. The reading sits in the 52nd percentile of its history back to 1955.
| Latest (May 2026) | 2.50% |
| One year ago | 2.50% |
| 10-year range | 2.20% – 3.20% |
| Percentile vs. full history | 52nd |
| History | 1955–2026 (857 observations) |
The share of Japan's labor force that is out of work and looking for a job. Unemployment is a lagging indicator on the way down but a powerful early signal on the way up: sustained increases from a cycle low have historically been among the most reliable markers of a downturn taking hold. Because labor data is published promptly and revised little, it anchors the growth pillar of most macro frameworks. Data: harmonized unemployment statistics via the OECD.
<iframe src="https://www.tacticalassetallocation.com/charts/japan-unemployment-rate/embed.html" width="800" height="360" loading="lazy" style="border:1px solid #ddd;border-radius:8px"></iframe>
<a href="https://www.tacticalassetallocation.com/charts/japan-unemployment-rate/">Japan Unemployment Rate — Cambria Chart Lab</a>
Data: download CSV (source: OECD key economic indicators).