TOKYO, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Japan's job availability ratio dipped to 1.24 in February from 1.26 in January, shrinking for the first time in six months, as surging material and utility costs limited recruitment, government data showed Tuesday.

The latest jobs-to-applicants ratio indicates there were 124 job openings for every 100 jobseekers, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

All surveyed industries recorded fewer new job offers, with hotel and restaurant services shedding 17.6 percent from a year earlier, and lifestyle and entertainment services decreasing 10.5 percent.

In addition to rising costs affecting many sectors, some manufacturers voiced concern about U.S. tariff policies, a labor ministry official said.

Meanwhile, data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed the country's unemployment rate fell to 2.4 percent in February from 2.5 percent in January, marking the first improvement in five months as the number of people seeking jobs dropped. Enditem

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