TOKYO — Japan's unemployment rate fell while factory output rose for the first time in four months in August -- a sign the world's third-largest economy is on a path of gradual recovery. The jobless rate stood at 2.4 percent in August, down slightly from 2.5 percent the previous month, the internal affairs ministry said. Japan has long struggled with a tight labour market, thanks to an ageing society, a perennially low birth rate and very low levels of immigration. Meanwhile, the country's factory output in August edged up 0.7 percent from the previous month, the first rise in four months, the trade and industry ministry said. The ministry and analysts predict that factory output will keep rising in the next few months.

Source: Philippine Star September 28, 2018 01:07 UTC