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June 29, 2021JAPAN LABOUR FORCE SURVEY, MAY 2021 
In May 2021, Japan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.0%. The impacts of COVID-19 are apparent in Japan's labour market, with a rising unemployment rate during 2020. Although the unemployment rate started to fall again in 2021, it has risen in the last two months. The magnitude of Japan's labour market shock from COVID-19 appears to be more moderate than observed in other advanced economies.
Compared to February 2020, Japan's labour force in May 2021 was down 0.8% while employment was down 1.5%. The impacts of COVID-19 on Canada's and Nova Scotia's labour markets were more severe in the spring and summer months as well as during the recent period of 'third wave' restrictions. From February 2020 to May 2021, Canada's labour force was down slightly (-0.3%) while employment fell 3.0%. Canada's unemployment rate increased from 5.7% in February 2020 to 8.2% in May 2021. Nova Scotia's May 2021 labour force was down 3.1% and employment was down 5.0% compared to February 2020 as new restrictions were imposed with a third wave of outbreaks. Nova Scotia’s unemployment rate rose from 8.0% in February 2020 to 9.8% in May 2021.
Sources:
Statistics Bureau of Japan. Table: a-1 (Seasonally adjusted) Major items (Labour force, Employed person, Employee, Unemployed person, Not in labour force, Unemployment rate (since Jan.1953)
Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0287-01 Labour force characteristics, monthly, seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle
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