Jobless in Japan

This article discusses the jobless in Japan. The current economic crisis has spread joblessness into Japan, with output plunging at historic rates. The unemployment rate leapt to 4.4 percent in December. I found this interesting that they consider that a "high" or alarming rate of unemployment. It seems at any time in our history, a 4% unemployment rate is something that is considered low in the United States, but yet in Japan, its not a good thing, its extremely high.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/world/asia/08japan.html?scp=5&sq=japan&st=cse