Japan's job availability falls for first time since 2012 - Nikkei Asian Review

The gauge of job availability in Japan stood at 1.58 in February, down from 1.59 in January - the first fall since September 2012, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The ratio means there were 158 job openings for every 100 workers, according to Nikkei Asian Review. 

Meanwhile, the jobless rate ticked higher to 2.5 percent in February, the data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed. 

Despite the slight drop in employment, most experts believe Japan is nearing full employment as service sector firms continue to face a shortage of labor. Still, there is no sign of a sustained rise in wage-price inflation.