Japan's unemployment rate jumps to 4.7%

Japan’s unemployment rate jumps to 4.7%

The Japanese government indicated that the country's unemployment rate rose from 4.5% in January 2005 to 4.7% in February 2005. The figure came in worse than anticipated as economists had been expecting the numbers to be unchanged from January. Japan's unemployment rate, which has shown improvement over the long term due to country's economic revival, took a u-turn over the last 12 months. The unemployment rate was at 4.4% in December, 4.5% in November, 4.7% in October and 4.6% in September. Economists warn that the country's economic recovery may slow as exports, which fueled the recent growth, have tapered in recent months.