Japan has recorded an unexpected 5.2 percent increase in its unemployment rate further weakening household spending for the second month.

The Tokyo-based statistics bureau today said the jobless rate in the Japanese economy went up in May from April's 5.1 percent.

Another important indicator, the industrial production, on the other hand also went down in May, prompting inventories to accumulate.

Japan imports iron ore and coal, among others including agricultural-based products, making the country the second biggest export market of Australia, second to the US.

The yen traded at 89.39 per dollar at 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo from 89.36 before the figures were released. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average opened 0.3 percent higher.