A Japanese government survey shows that 98.1 percent of people who graduated from universities in March this year have found a job. The figure is the highest since fiscal 1996, when the annual survey began.
The labor and education ministries surveyed 6,250 people who studied at 112 universities and other institutions across Japan about their job hunting activities as of April 1.
The results showed the employment rate for university graduates stood at 98.1 percent, up 0.8 percentage points from the same time last year.
By gender, 97.9 percent of men landed jobs, up 0.6 points over last year, as did 98.3 percent of women, up one point.
The rate for vocational schools was 97.5 percent, up 1.8 points over last year. At junior colleges, 97.4 percent of graduates found employment, down 0.7 points year on year.
Labor minister Takemi Keizo told reporters that a growing number of companies are actively recruiting workers amid a labor shortage.
Takemi said the government intends to help graduates, who are still searching for employment, through public job placement services and other programs.