Japan's jobless rate hit the lowest level in more than six years, amid cautious optimism for a steady recovery of the world's second-largest economy.
Unemployment in April fell 0.1 point month-on-month to 4.4%, better than the consensus call of 4.5%, according to figures from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
The overall rate was the lowest since December 1998, when it was 4.4% before drastic job cuts pushed up the nation's unemployment to a record high of 5.5% in 2002.
But now that corporate restructuring after the collapse of Japan's 'bubble economy' in the early 1990s has run its course, the labour market has been improving and supporting consumer spending, a key driver behind overall growth.
A ministry official said many young people were quitting their jobs to seek better salaries and working conditions. Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said the Japanese economy was taking firm, gradual steps for recovery.
Economists said that the improved jobless rate reflects record profits and recovering earnings at many Japanese companies that are now hiring back more full-time workers. The labour ministry said the ratio of job offers to every 100 job seekers rose to 94 in April from 91 the previous month.
