Job openings ratio in Oita and Akita reaches 1.13

In August 2026, the job openings-to-applicants ratio in both Oita and Akita prefectures stood at 1.13.

In Oita, the ratio rose by 0.01 points from the previous month, marking the first increase in two months. However, the Oita Labor Bureau noted a stagnation in recovery, reporting a 9.6% year-on-year decrease in new job openings. Significant declines were observed in the transport and postal services sector (30.7%) and the construction industry (14.2%). Local small and medium-sized enterprises cited rising labor costs as a factor limiting their ability to hire. The bureau emphasized the need to monitor how inflation and Middle East geopolitical tensions affect employment.

In Akita, the ratio of 1.13 represented a 0.04 point decrease from the previous month. This marks the eleventh consecutive month of a “gentle decrease” in the region. The Akita Labor Bureau reported that companies continue to express uncertainty regarding the future due to international circumstances, noting that the impact of rising prices must be closely watched.