TOKYO - Japan's unemployment rate hit its highest level in more than five years in May, rising to 5.2 percent from 5.0 percent in April, according to government data released Tuesday.

The May jobless rate matched the 5.2 percent posted in September 2003, the internal affairs ministry said.

The reading, which was slightly worse than an average market forecast of 5.1 percent, is still below the country's post-World War II high of 5.5 percent, which was last seen in April 2003, the ministry said.

Separate data from the labour ministry showed there were only 44 job offers for every 100 job seekers in May, down from 46 in April.