Japan's unemployment rate decreased to 4.4 percent in May from 4.6 percent in April, government data showed Friday.
Economists expected a fall to 4.5 percent. The number of unemployed persons in May was 2.97 million, a decrease of 5.4 percent from the previous year.
Labor force participation rate was 59.5 percent in May, 0.2 percentage points less than a month earlier.
The employment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point from a month earlier to 56.8 percent.
A separate data showed that household spending rose 4 percent from a year earlier following a 2.6 percent rise in April. Expectations were for a 2.3 percent gain.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.