-- 日本3月全國失業率升至2.7%，較2月的2.6%略有上升，或許預示著海灣戰爭後油價上漲和全球貿易低迷帶來的首批負面影響。 經季節性調整後，日本3月失業人數較2月增加1萬人，達186萬人。 3月就業人數較2月減少12萬人，降至6,815萬人，創11個月以來新低；勞動人口減少10萬人，降至7,002萬人，創7個月以來新低。 近年來，由於人口老化，日本潛在勞動力一直在減少，因為越來越多的老員工退休，而沒有更多年輕人加入勞動市場。 整體而言，許多企業認為日本正面臨「勞動力短缺」的困境。 3月份日本的勞動參與率，即就業或正在尋找工作的勞動年齡成年人所佔的百分比，從2月份的63.5%小幅上升至63.6%，略高於去年同期的63.3%。 此外，根據厚生勞動省報告，3月每100名求職者對應118個職缺，經季節性調整後略低於2月的119個。
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Oil Prices Jump as Progress on Ending the Iran War Stalls
Oil prices were sharply higher early on Tuesday, with the U.S. benchmark price rising back above US$100 per barrel for the first time in three weeks as hopes for an end to the war on Iran fade and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.West Texas Intermediate crude oil for June delivery was last seen up US$4.94 to US$101.31 per barrel, the highest since April 7, while June Brent oil was up US$3.66 to US$111.89.Weekend talks expected to be held in Pakistan between Iran and the United States failed to take place, while a Monday proposal from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in return for lifting a U.S. blockade of its ports and deferring talks over its nuclear program was rejected by President Trump.Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Israel launched attacks on the country on Feb. 28. The Strait is the chokepoint for 20% of daily global oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf nations and its closure has produced the largest-ever supply shock, pushing up oil prices by 44% since the start of the war."Oil extended its rally ... amid no signs of progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where US and Iranian blockades have reduced daily transits to near zero. Warnings over the severity of the global supply squeeze continue to intensify, with tightness in refined fuel markets already pushing diesel and jet fuel prices toward USD 200 per barrel," Saxo Bank noted.The closure of the Strait has pushed up spot price for oil, as the Asian nations that rely on Gulf producers compete for available barrels. Rising prices have heightened inflation and raises the risk of a global recession as the lack of supply forces demand destruction and chokes off economic growth."Alarm bells will ring loudly if the SoH (Strait of Hormuz) doesn't reopen during May. Spot crude and product prices will trade higher and higher. And if a decent reopening doesn't take place before June/July, then the risk is significant for a real crisis where the world may be forced to reduce its oil consumption closer to the level of availability," Bjarne Schieldrop, Chief analyst commodities at SEB Research, wrote.
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Oil & Energy
Market Chatter: Saudi Aramco Extends Juaymah LPG Export Suspension Through May
Saudi Aramco has extended the suspension of liquefied petroleum gas shipments from its critical Juaymah export terminal through May, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.The report noted that the state energy giant recently informed international buyers that deliveries of propane and butane originally halted following a pipeline infrastructure failure will remain offline for another month, according to sources familiar with the matter.The disruption stems from a Feb. 23 incident involving the collapse of a portion of the trestle that carries delivery pipelines to the terminal's loading berths.The company did not respond immediately to' request for comments.While Aramco initially characterized the damage as a structural failure with no reported leaks or injuries, the prolonged outage has heightened anxiety in global energy markets.The Juaymah facility is the world's seventh-largest LPG export hub, typically moving an average of 450,000 tons per month to major industrial buyers in India, China, Japan, and South Korea.With roughly 60% of Juaymah's 2025 exports previously destined for India, the continued absence of Saudi supply is forcing Asian refiners to seek more expensive alternatives from the US West Coast and West Africa.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)