Commentary / World Aug 24, 2020
The crippling return of long-term unemployment
by Michael R. Strain
When joblessness is prolonged, more than people’s economic security is at stake.
Commentary / World May 19, 2020
The pandemic’s gender bias needs urgent fixing
by Elisa Martinuzzi
Women faced a century-long wait to reach parity with men before the coronavirus. Now that timeline is looking ambitious.
Business Jun 11, 2019
Abe says his 'real' economic goals were met without hitting 2% inflation
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his real economic objectives, including full employment, have been achieved even though 2 percent inflation has not, pointing to a further softening of the government's commitment to a price goal seen as one of the cornerstones of Abenomics. "It's true ...
Business / Economy Feb 15, 2019
U.S. retail sales post largest drop since 2009 as jobless claims surge
U.S. retail sales recorded their biggest drop in more than nine years in December as receipts fell across the board, suggesting a sharp slowdown in economic activity at the end of 2018. The economy's outlook was further dimmed by other data on Thursday showing an ...
Business / Economy Oct 30, 2018
Japan's job availability improves to fresh 44-year high in September
There were 1.64 openings for every job-seeker in the month, the highest level since January 1974 and up from 1.63 in August, according to the ministry.
Business / Economy Jun 29, 2018
Japan's jobless rate falls to lowest level in over quarter century
The unemployment rate fell to the lowest level in more than 25 years in May as companies ramped up hiring amid solidifying economic conditions, government data showed Friday. That's positive news for the Bank of Japan as it struggles to generate 2 percent inflation. The rate ...
Business / Economy Mar 2, 2018
Japan's jobless rate falls to 24-year low of 2.4% in January
Japan's unemployment rate fell to 2.4 percent in January, the lowest in over 24 years, and job availability remained at a four-decade high, government data showed Friday. The figures suggest companies are facing intensifying competition to secure workers as the economy enjoys its second-longest postwar ...
World Jan 3, 2018
Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani has more to lose than the clerics in nationwide protests
Iranian authorities are concerned that nationwide unrest will undermine the clerical establishment and want to stamp out the protests quickly, senior government officials say. But the person with the most to lose is President Hassan Rouhani. While several senior officials said there was concern that ...
Business Nov 1, 2017
In Japan, wages stubbornly refuse to rise despite tight labor market and steady economic growth
by Enda Curran, Toru Fujioka and Yoshiaki Nohara
Japan is discovering that even the tightest labor market in a generation is no quick spur for higher wages. That's an ominous warning for central banks and governments elsewhere who are grappling with how to translate surging corporate profits into rising salaries, a dynamic that ...
Business / Economy Aug 29, 2017
Japan's job availability at 43-year high, jobless rate steady
Job availability improved for a fifth consecutive month to a 43-year high while the unemployment rate remained unchanged in July, government data showed Tuesday, highlighting Japan's ongoing labor shortage issue. The job availability rate rose to 1.52 positions per job seeker in July, up from ...
National / Social Issues Sep 24, 2016
The future looks bleak for Yokohama's day laborers
by Tim Hornyak
Once a bustling town of casual workers, Kotobukicho is now a community of aging welfare recipients.