Research Report: Effective Job Openings Ratio for April 2026 Stands at 1.18, Unemployment Rate at 2.5%

The Tsunagu Workstyle Research Institute (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Director: Hiroshi Ohno), a research organization established by Tsunagu Group Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Mitsuhiro Yoneda), which provides RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing) and recruitment consulting services, publishes a monthly 'Labor Market Data Report.' This report curates and clearly summarizes labor market-related data released by government agencies. Based on the latest data published in late May, we have compiled and report here the findings for April 2026.

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1. The effective job openings ratio for April was 1.18, unchanged from the previous month.

2. The unemployment rate was 2.5%, down 0.2 percentage points from the previous month.

3. The number of new job postings decreased by 3.6% year-on-year, marking the 12th consecutive month of decline compared to the same month of the previous year.

1: The effective job openings ratio for April was 1.18, unchanged from the previous month

The seasonally adjusted effective job openings ratio for April 2026 was 1.18, remaining stable compared to the previous month. However, it decreased by 0.07 points compared to the same month of the previous year.

The job openings ratio for part-time positions only (seasonally adjusted) was 1.10, down 0.08 points year-on-year. The effective job openings ratio for regular employees (seasonally adjusted) was 0.99, down 0.05 points year-on-year, remaining below 1.0 for the seventh consecutive month.

2: The unemployment rate was 2.5%, down 0.2 percentage points from the previous month

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April 2026 was 2.5%, down 0.2 percentage points from the previous month, and unchanged compared to the same month of the previous year. By age group, the unemployment rate increased year-on-year for those aged 35–44 (+0.2 percentage points) and 55–64 (+0.3 percentage points). The total number of unemployed persons was 1.93 million, an increase of 50,000 compared to the same month of the previous year. Although the unemployment rate improved from the previous month, the number of unemployed persons exceeded the previous year's level, and rising unemployment rates were observed in certain age groups.

3: The number of new job postings decreased by 3.6% year-on-year, the 12th consecutive month of decline

The number of new job postings in April 2026 decreased by 3.6% year-on-year, marking the 12th consecutive month of decline compared to the same month of the previous year. By industry, education and learning support services (+1.5%) and manufacturing (+1.2%) saw increases, while wholesale and retail trade (-11.0%), accommodation and food service activities (-9.1%), and information and communication (-7.3%) experienced decreases.

The number of new job postings has continued to decline compared to the previous year, particularly in consumer-facing service sectors such as wholesale and retail trade, and accommodation and food service activities.

※1) The Institute defines the following seven industries as major sectors: construction, manufacturing, transportation and postal activities, wholesale and retail trade, accommodation and food service activities, personal and household services, and other service activities (not classified elsewhere). These are industries with large job posting volumes and a high proportion of part-time and temporary workers among employees.

(Source)

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 'General Occupational Introduction (April 2026)'

Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 'Labour Force Survey (Basic Results) April 2026'

About the Tsunagu Workstyle Research Institute

Established in 2015, the Tsunagu Workstyle Research Institute is a research organization under Tsunagu Group Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Mitsuhiro Yoneda). The Institute collaborates with experts in corporate HR and labor law to analyze and explain key aspects and perspectives of labor regulations, while also documenting and analyzing the background and process of reforms to propose an ideal future. As a research body focused on all labor regulations surrounding 'work,' it aims to open up the future of employment.

For more details:

Tsunagu Group Holdings Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market; Stock Code: 6551)

Address: 7F/8F, Hulic Ginza 7-chome Building, 7-3-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Representative: President and CEO Mitsuhiro Yoneda

Business: Formulating management strategies and managing operations for a group engaged in recruitment solutions (recruitment consulting, outsourcing, etc.), worker dispatching, and paid job placement services, along with related activities.

URL: https://tghd.co.jp/

Tsunagu Group Holdings Co., Ltd. is a recruitment solutions company specializing in RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing) and recruitment consulting to solve corporate talent challenges. Connecting 3.46 million applicants with over 170,000 business sites, one in five major corporations uses its services. Against the backdrop of labor shortages due to low birthrates and aging population, the company's medium-term management plan promotes 'Circular Recruiting,' investing in new recruitment infrastructure and growth areas through alumni hiring support service 'Alumnia' and support for foreign talent.