Unemployment in Japan has reached record levels.

The latest government figures put the jobless rate at four-point-four percent, equal to that of the United States.

The figure is the highest since the Japanese government began collecting data in the present form, in 1953.

Analysts say declining consumer spending has forced Japanese companies to lay off workers.

And other figures show that industrial output fell by two per cent in November.

Last month, the government announced plans to cut taxes, increase public spending and provide other incentives to boost consumer demand.