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. ![]()
-
Minimum wage to $20 an hour. That's what Sally Delk hopes for with a job at the nuclear power plant. More
-
Charlotte Street was the epicenter of urban blight. No longer. Now Bimmers and boats fill driveways. More
-
Ex-convicts like Gregory Headley are 'at the back of the line' in the struggle to find work. More
-
Steve Jobs revived Apple, defying the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression. More
-
Consumers looking to buy electronics for holiday gifts won't have to break the bank this season. More
-
Search firm says it will pay the bill for wireless Internet during the holidays. More
-
Twitter and LinkedIn hook up, signing agreement to let users share information across both platforms. More









