Japan's unemployment rate improved to 2.3 percent in June from 2.4 percent the previous month, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said Tuesday. The job availability ratio stood at 1.61, down from 1.62, according to separate data released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The ratio means there were 161 openings for every 100 job seekers. The figures signaled the country continues to face a labor shortage on the back of its rapidly aging population. (full story)