#Japan #Tokyo #Labor Market #Employment Trends #Tunagu Group

December 2025 Job Market Report

A recently published report by the Tunagu Work Style Research Institute, a research body under Tunagu Group Holdings Inc., highlights the state of the employment market as of December 2025. Some key findings from this report include essential insights into job vacancy ratios, unemployment rates, and job openings.

Key Highlights:

1. Job Vacancy Ratio: The effective job vacancy ratio stands at 1.19 times, marking a 10-month high. 
2. Unemployment Rate: The total unemployment rate remains stable at 2.6%, consistent for five consecutive months.
3. New Job Openings: There's a 2.4% decrease in new job openings compared to the same month last year, continuing an eight-month trend of decline.

1. Job Vacancy Ratio Details

The effective job vacancy ratio adjusted for seasonal variations is recorded at 1.19 times. This represents a slight increase of 0.01 points from the previous month, albeit a drop of 0.06 points from the same month last year. Although positive signs are seen in the increase of vacancies from the prior month, the overall trend over a year still reflects a decrease. For part-time jobs, the adjusted ratio is at 1.12 times, reflecting a decrease of 0.06 points compared to the previous year. The effective ratio for full-time positions stands at 0.99 times, continuing to linger below the 1.0 mark for three consecutive months.

2. Unemployment Rate Analysis

In December 2025, the total unemployment rate is recorded at 2.6%, which is the same as the previous month. Compared to the same month last year, there’s a slight increase of 0.1 points. The age group of 15-24 showed a justifiable decrease of 1.3 points, being the only demographic experiencing a drop in unemployment rates. The total number of unemployed individuals has now reached 1.66 million, indicating an increase of 120,000 from the previous year.

3. New Job Openings Decline

The number of new job openings in December 2025 has dropped by 2.4% compared to the same month last year. This marks the eighth consecutive month where the numbers did not meet the previous year’s figures. Breaking down the sectors, positive growth rates were noted in education and learning support (up 4.0%), scientific research and professional services (up 2.5%), and manufacturing (up 1.6%). In contrast, sectors such as information and communications (-10.5%), accommodation and food services (-7.0%), and wholesale and retail (-6.5%) encountered significant declines.

Insights on the Tunagu Work Style Research Institute

Established in 2015 and located in Chuo, Tokyo, the Tunagu Work Style Research Institute is spearheaded by Hiroshi Ohno. This research body focuses on various work styles, collaborating with specialists in the human resources and labor law sectors. The institute aims to clarify critical points regarding labor law system reforms and promote an ideal vision for the future of work. Their research work promotes a profound understanding of employment trends and policies affecting employment.

Closing Thoughts

The findings presented in this report serve as an essential indicator for companies, policymakers, and job seekers as they navigate the complexities of the current job market landscape. As employment trends evolve, closer attention to data presented by institutions like Tunagu Work Style Research Institute will be crucial for anticipating future developments in the labor force.