Japan aims to create 100,000 jobs by new steps

Published: 22 Oct 2009 22:39:51 PST

TOKYO, Oct 23 - Japan unveiled an employment package on Friday that it said would create 100,000 new jobs by next March as the new government worries about poor conditions in the labour market.

The steps compiled by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's government, which took office just over a month ago, do not involve new fiscal spending and are mainly aimed at supporting job-seekers and the poor.

The measures include easing regulations on subsidies for companies keeping jobs open and enhancing training programmes for job seekers.

Japan's jobless rate unexpectedly dropped to 5.5 percent in August from a record 5.7 percent in the preceding month, but analysts are still unsure if the worst is over.