TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's unemployment rate was unchanged from the previous month at 2.5 percent in November, government data showed Friday, as those who left jobs voluntarily increased, while new job seekers declined.

The total number of people with jobs climbed 0.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted 68.08 million while those without jobs gained 0.6 percent to 1.72 million, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.

Of those not in work, the number of people who voluntarily left their jobs increased 5.7 percent to 740,000 while that of those who were seeking new jobs fell 6.4 percent to 440,000.

Individuals who ceased employment, including those who reached retirement age, increased 2.6 percent to 400,000, according to the ministry.

The job availability ratio was also unchanged from October at 1.25 in November, indicating there were 125 jobs available for every 100 job seekers, according to separate data.