The jobless rate rose in October for the first time in three months, adding to evidence that the postearthquake rebound is fading.
The unemployment rate increased to 4.5 percent from September, the Statistics Bureau said Tuesday, exceeding the median estimate of 4.2 percent by 29 economists in a survey. Those not in the workforce fell by 220,000 and payrolls were unchanged from September, the bureau said.
Government reports have pointed to slower growth with exports sliding in October and industrial output declining. Manufacturers including Panasonic Corp. and TDK Corp. have announced job cuts as a yen near a post World War II high against the dollar erodes profits.