Recent Statistical Survey Reports, February 2005

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Statistical Survey Reports

Basic Survey on Wage Structure by Prefectures (Preliminary Report, 2004)

Thursday, February 3, released by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Scheduled cash earnings (general employees) was the highest in Tokyo with 367,200 yen (Average length of service was 11.6 years), and the lowest in Aomori with 223,700 yen (Average length of service was 10.7 years).

Wage Survey on Outdoor Workers by occupation (Construction Industry, Skilled Occupations, 2004)

Thursday, February 3, released by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The average amount of daily contractual cash earnings for a skilled worker in construction industry (for all targeted 21 occupations) was 13,790 yen, decreased for the 3rd consecutive year by 1.9% from the previous year.

By main occupation, the average amount of daily contractual cash earnings for electrician was 15,300yen, the highest. The lowest was 11,840yen for iron rod reinforcing worker.

Poll on Gender Equality in Society (2004 Nov.)

Saturday, February 5, Creleased by Cabinet Office

45.2% of respondent supported the idea that husbands should work and wives should do household affairs, while 48.9% of them opposed. The number of people who opposed this notion surpassed that of those who supported it for the first time since 1979.

As for the status at the workplace, 59.5% said that "men were given favorable treatment to women", while 25.0% said that "men and women are equally treated".

National Accounts (The 1st Preliminary Estimates of Expenditure in Oct.-Dec.)

Wednesday, February 16, released by Cabinet Office

Real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth rate (seasonally adjusted) decreased for the 3rd consecutive quarter by -0.1% from the previous quarter (-0.5% on annual basis).

Of real GDP growth rate, 0.1% was contributed by domestic demand and -0.2% by external demand.

Report on Job Introduction Business (FY2003)

Friday, February 18, released by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The number of new job applicants was 1.68 million, increased by 9.9% from the previous fiscal year. The number of job openings also increased by 21.4% to 1.30 million. Moreover, the number of employment increased by 15.0% to 300 thousand.

Report on Manpower Dispatching Business (FY2003)

Friday, February 18, released by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The number of dispatched workers in FY2003 increased by 10.9% to 2.36 million.

Average pay for a regular dispatched worker (in terms of 8-hour work) increased by 1.0% to 16,003 yen, while that for a specified dispatched worker increased by 1.0% to 24,084 yen.

Consumer Price Index (January)

Friday, February 25, released by Ministry of Public Management,
Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications

Consumer Price Index decreased by 0.1% from a year earlier, marking the first drop in 2 months. That in Ku-areas of Tokyo in February decreased by 0.5%.

Indices of Industrial Production (Preliminary Report for January)

Monday, February 28, released by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

The index of industrial production (seasonally adjusted) increased by 2.1% from the previous month, marking the first rise in 2 months. The index is expected to decrease in February and March.

Labor Force Survey (January)

Tuesday, March 1, released by Ministry of Public Management,
Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications

Report on Employment Service (January)

Tuesday, March 1, released by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) was 4.5%, unchanged from the previous month.

That for men rose by 0.2 points to 4.8%, while that for women decreased by 0.1 point to 4.1%.

The number of unemployed persons dropped for the 20th consecutive month from a year earlier to 2.96 million.

The number of employee (seasonally adjusted) increased by 0.3% from the previous month, marking the first rise in 3 months.

The ratio of active job openings to applicants (seasonally adjusted) was 0.91, increased by 0.01 point from the previous month.

Labor Force Survey (2004 Trial Count of unemployment rate, By Prefecture)

Tuesday, March 1, released by Ministry of Public Management,
Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications

By prefecture, unemployment rate was the highest in Okinawa at 7.6%, Aomori followed it at 6.6%. Fukui was the lowest at 3.0%.

Labor Force Survey : Detailed Analysis (Preliminary Report Oct.-Dec.)

Tuesday, March 1, released by Ministry of Public Management,
Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications

The ratio of non-regular employees to employees except the board members increased by 0.6 points from a year earlier to 31.6%. That of men was 16.9%, while that of women was 51.5%.

As for the unemployed persons by duration of unemployment, the largest number was shown in [1 year or more] at 1.09 million, followed by [Less than 3 months] at 860 thousand.

Family Income and Expenditure Survey (January)

Tuesday, March 1, released by Ministry of Public Management,
Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications

Living expenditure in workers' household increased for the first time in 3 months by 2.6% in real values from a year earlier.

Survey on Labor Economy Trends (February 2005)

Thursday, March 3, released by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The Diffusion index (DI) ("Insufficient"-"Excessive") for judging the shortage/excessiveness of regular employees was 13 in February ; shortage of employment has been strengthened for the 3rd consecutive month.

Monthly Labor Survey (Preliminary Report for January)

Tuesday, March 8, released by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Total cash earnings (for establishments with 5 or more employees) increased by 0.4% and contractual cash earnings unchanged from a year earlier.

Non-scheduled hours worked in manufacturing (for establishments with 5 or more employees, seasonally adjusted) increased by 1.1% from the previous month, marking the first increase in 2 months.

Other Reports

Monthly Economic Report (February)

Tuesday, February 22, released by Cabinet Office

The economy is recovering at a moderate pace, while some weak movements continue to be seen.

• Corporate profits are improving sharply and business investment is increasing.
• Private consumption is almost flat.
• The employment situation is improving, though some severe aspects remain.
• Both exports and industrial production are weakening.
• As for short-term prospects, the economic recovery is expected to remain solid with steady recovery in the world economy, as the corporate sector continues to be resilient. On the other hand, attention should be given to the inventory adjustment in the IT related area and to the developments of crude oil prices and other factors.

Monthly Labor Economy Report (February)

Wednesday, February 23, released by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The employment situation is improving, though some severe aspects remain. The unemployment rate is, while remaining at a high level, on a downward trend.