Tuesday, 28 August, 2001, 05:30 GMT 06:30 UK Japan's jobless at record
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reform plans under pressure
Unemployment in Japan hit a record 5% in July, producing fresh calls for a supplementary budget to kick start the economy and sending shares back down to a 17-month low. The number of jobless grew by 230,000 year-on-year in July to 3.30 million, according to government figures.
There are now 60 jobs available for every 100 jobseekers, with unemployment increasing among both men and women.
It is the first time that the monthly unemployment figure has breached the 5% ceiling.