Japan's job availability ratio in April fell 0.02 point from the previous month to 1.26, marking the first drop in two months, as high material prices weighed on recruitment in the manufacturing sector, government data showed Friday.
Separate data showed the country's unemployment rate stood at 2.6 percent in the reporting month, unchanged from March.
The latest job-to-applicant ratio released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare means there were 126 job openings for every 100 job seekers.
By sector, new job offers in manufacturing plunged 7.8 percent from a year earlier, followed by education with a 7.4 percent decline.
In contrast, job offers in lifestyle and entertainment services increased 3.4 percent.
"Companies' reluctance to hire more employees despite a labor shortage reflects a slowing economy," said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at the Norinchukin Research Institute, noting that job openings have shown a weakening trend after peaking last summer.
"But companies are likely to be more willing to hire employees in the future amid wage hikes and tax reductions set to begin in June that would help to increase household income and lead to a pickup in personal consumption," Minami added.
The total number of unemployed people stood at a seasonally adjusted 1.83 million in April, up 0.5 percent from the previous month, according to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Among them, 780,000 people voluntarily left their jobs, down 1.3 percent from the previous month, while 440,000 people were dismissed, down 4.3 percent.
The unemployment rate stood at 2.8 percent for men, up 0.1 point from the previous month, while the rate for women declined 0.2 point to 2.4 percent.
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