University students in Japan are finding it tougher to line up graduate jobs, as the coronavirus pandemic casts its shadow over the economy.
The government surveyed 4,770 students graduating next March from 62 universities.
Just 69.8 percent had job offers as of October 1, down 7 points from the same time in 2019. That marks the largest yearly decline in October data since a record-drop in 2009 due to the global financial crisis.
Labor ministry officials say some students are being forced to spend more time job hunting after employers cancelled offers. They say the government is working with universities to provide support.
