Japan Sept. Industrial Output Up 2.2 Pct

Tokyo, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s industrial production in September rose 2.2 pct from the previous month, up for the first time in three months, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Friday. The rise was led by strong exports of semiconductor-manufacturing equipment. The seasonally adjusted production index for the manufacturing and mining sectors stood at 102.8 against 100 for the base year of 2020. The ministry kept unchanged its assessment that industrial production is moving up and down. Production rose in 13 of the 15 surveyed industries, including the sectors of production machinery and metal products. Production of chipmaking equipment enjoyed a 15.7 pct increase thanks to strong shipments to China and Taiwan and that of press machinery soared 82.8 pct on the back of expanding demand. Meanwhile, output declined in two industries, with the transportation machinery sector, including aircraft components, logging a 6.6 pct fall due to reduced orders. Production at manufacturers is forecast to rise 1.9 pct in October but fall 0.9 pct in November. A ministry official noted that while the country’s economic trends are improving, “we’re still not in a situation that allows for optimism.” The shipment and inventory indexes climbed 0.7 pct and 0.5 pct, respectively. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]