Japan's jobless rate drops to 4.1 % in Sept.

Japan's unemployment rate stood at a seasonally adjusted 4.1 percent in September, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said in a report on Friday. September's figure came in better than consensus forecasts for a reading of 4.5 percent and follows August's rate of 4.3 percent. According to the ministry, the number of persons employed in the recording period totaled 62.76 million, falling 0.5 percent from a year earlier or by 330,000 people. Unemployed people in the recording month stood at 2.75 million, the government data showed, which is 19.1 percent contraction or a decrease of 650,000 people from the previous year. The job-to-applicant ratio was in line with consensus forecasts, standing at 0.67, separate data showed, rising from a reading of 0. 66 in the previous month. The figure translates to 67 jobs available for every 100 people seeking employment. The participation rate stood at 59.4, rising from 59.2 a month earlier, the ministry said.