FX.co ★ Japan’s Job Market Holds Steady as Jobs-to-Applicants Ratio Stays at 1.18 in July

Japan’s labor market showed no change in July, with the jobs-to-applicants ratio remaining at 1.18, the same level recorded in June 2026. The latest data, updated on 27 August 2026, suggest demand for labor is holding steady, with 118 job openings available for every 100 job seekers.

The unchanged ratio indicates a stable balance between labor demand and supply, neither signaling an acceleration in hiring nor a weakening in job availability compared with the previous month. Market participants and policymakers are likely to watch upcoming releases closely to see whether this plateau at 1.18 marks a temporary pause or the start of a more sustained trend in Japan’s employment conditions.