The number of initial jobless claims filed by unemployed Americans dropped to 382,000 during the week of April 2, down from last week‘s revised figure of 392,000, according to data from the U.S. Labor Department released Thursday. This is the fourth consecutive week in which claims have declined. The four-week moving average of 389,500, dropped from the previous week’s average of 395,250, the Labor Department said. Analysts at Econoday believe recent unemployment trends point to labor demand, as businesses gear up to fulfill operation orders. One factor the firm says has yet to manifest in this statistical data is the effect Japan’s earthquake will have on American jobs. “A wild card for future reports is Japanese supply disruptions and whether they will affect US jobs,” Econoday reported. “Markets are showing little reaction to today’s report.” Write to Christine Ricciardi. Follow her on Twitter @HWnewbieCR.