The ratio of job offers to seekers in Japan rose for the second straight month in October.

The labor ministry says there were an average of 125 job openings for every 100 applicants. That is up from 124 in September.

Ministry officials say they are closely watching how inflation is playing out in the job market. They note that higher costs forced some companies to reduce hiring, even in short-staffed sectors such as construction. Other businesses are offering better wages and benefits to attract employees.

Separate data from the internal affairs ministry shows Japan's jobless rate rose last month to 2.5 percent. That is up 0.1 percentage point from September and the first increase since July.

More than 68 million people were employed in October. That represents a year-on-year gain of 420,000 and an increase for the 27th consecutive month. The number of working women hit a record high of more than 31 million.

The jobless number fell for the third straight month.

Ministry officials indicated there is room for optimism in the job market. They say more people left work upon reaching retirement and fewer quit because their companies were struggling.