Japan-based staffing company Career Bank (4834.SO) reported on Tuesday that group revenues in the first half of the year ended 30 November 2012 was Y2.50 billion (€21.8 million), compared to Y2.84 billion (€24.7 million) a year ago.

Pre-tax profit in the period was down to Y19.00 million (€0.2 million) from Y83.00 million a year earlier. Net profit more than halved, dropping to Y14.00 million against Y39.00 million (€0.7 million) in the previous year.

The firm said that staffing services suffered particularly in its nursing business. It said that the slowdown in the Chinese economy and the European debt crisis contributed to uncertain market conditions in the period.

Career Bank offers career services including temporary and permanent staffing. The firm is based in Sapporo. It specialises in the healthcare sector and also provides outsourcing services.