TOKYO. Feb 1: Average annual working hours for Japanese increase 0.2 per cent from a year earlier to 1.909 in 1995. marking the first rise since 1988, the Labour Ministry said yesterday. reports AFP.

Although regular hours levelled off from the previous year at 1.772. overtime hours increased for the first time in six years by 4.2 per cent to 137.

The figures cover businesses with 30 or more workers

The growth in overtime was particularly conspicuous in the manufacturing sector at 10.2 per cent, reflecting a rebound in production activity. a ministry official said.

Japanese working hours had dropped for six consecu-

tive years until 1994. shrinking from 2.110 to 1.904. as the country's economy went through a period of stagnation.

"Although the production activity has turned brisk, companies are waiting to increase their employment until they can be sure of longterm prospects So existing workers are required to put in overtime for now." the official said.

The renewed upturn is seen running counter to a target set by the Japanese government in 1992 for annual working hours to fall below 1.800 by the year to March 1997.

Japanese working hours are still considerably high compared with most other industrialised countries