Japanese unemployment rises to 4.4 percent

Japanese unemployment rose to 4.4 percent in February, up from 4.1 percent the previous month, as firms cut jobs and close factories to cope with the deepening recession, the government said Tuesday.

The data came slightly above the average market forecast of 4.3 percent, but fell within the expectations ranging from 4.1 and 4.5 percent.

The number of those without jobs rose to 2.99 million people, up 330,000 from a year ago and marked four straight months of increase, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

Among men, jobless rates rose for all age groups, except for those aged 55 and older, while the rates rose for women of all ages, the ministry said.

Japanese household spending tumbled 3.5 percent in February from a year earlier as the public watched their expenses to cope with the deteriorating economy, official figures showed Tuesday.

Average monthly household income fell 2.4 percent from a year ago to 464,665 yen 4,744 dollars, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The average spending stood at 266,044 yen, falling for 12 straight months, a trend that was accelerated as the global recession hit Japan hard since last year, the ministry said.







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