Japan's industry, employment weaker
Reports show output down a record 8.1% in November while jobless rate edges up to 3.9%.
TOKYO (CNN) -- Japan's government released some key reports Friday indicating the island nation's economy is suffering along with the rest of the world.
Japan's industrial output took the largest drop in history in November over October, tumbling 8.1% - nearly double the previous record of 4.3% in January 2001, according to a report from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The huge disparity highlights how Japan's export-driven economy is faring against the decline of worldwide consumer demand.
Japan's unemployment rate was up to 3.9% in November, up 0.2 percentage point from October, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
More than 2.5 million Japanese are out of work, the ministry said, and for every three people looking for a job, only 1.5 jobs are available. That ratio is the lowest in nearly 5 years. ![]()
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