(PTI): Japan’s jobless rate has reached a record 5.7% in July, the highest on record since World War II, figures released days before a general election have shown.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 5.4 percent registered in June. The record unemployment rate means that 3,590,000 Japanese were out of work in July, over a million more than a year ago, as companies cut costs to deal with the worst recession in decades.

The development is expected to increase pressure on the governing Liberal Democratic Party after holding power for 53 of the past 54 years, as the country’s economic situation is considered as a key issue in the election campaign.

“There’s no doubt the job situation is worsening,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura, the top government spokesman. “The economy is still in a recovery phase. But we must pay close attention to the job situation.”

Japan plunged last year into its worst recession in decades as the global financial crisis sharply slashed demand for its cars, electronics and other exports.

Earlier in August, AFP quoted Barclays Capital economist Kyohei Morita as estimating that the country will keep its progress throughout the rest of the year.

“However, this is still a recovery underpinned by government policy measures and far from a self-sustaining turnaround,” Morita said.