Projections obtained Sunday from the health ministry show that Japan's unemployment rate could rise to almost 7 percent in 2007.
In addition, some 1.45 million people may be receiving employment insurance benefits by that time.
The internal documents were compiled for discussions reviewing the employment insurance system, officials at the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said. The system is currently under great strain given the rise in joblessness amid the protracted economic slump.
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