Unemployment in Japan has risen to its highest level since the Second World War, with young men at the highest risk of not finding work.

The Vice Labour Minister, Nobuko Matsubara, said the unemployment rate of four-point-one meant Japan was facing a very difficult situation and should not be optimistic about future developments.

The BBC Tokyo correspondent says the figures are likely to make the public even more cautious at a time when the Japanese government is trying to encourage spending to stimulate the economy.

The news hit share prices in early trading.