Japan’s Industrial Output Rises 2.2 Pct in Jan.

Tokyo, Feb. 27 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s industrial production in January rose 2.2 pct from the previous month, mainly due to robust output of automobile-related products, the industry ministry said Friday. The seasonally adjusted production index for the manufacturing and mining sectors stood at 104.0 against the 2020 base of 100, a preliminary report showed. The ministry maintained its basic assessment that industrial production is fluctuating “indecisively.” Production increased in 13 of the 15 surveyed industries, including the transportation machinery sector. Of major items, passenger cars, automotive driving parts and plastic items fared well. Production dropped in two sectors including production machinery, as output of semiconductor-manufacturing equipment was sluggish. The shipment index climbed 3.2 pct, up for the first time in three months. The inventory index inched up 0.1 pct. Meanwhile, output in the manufacturing sector is forecast to decline 0.5 pct in February and 2.6 pct in March. Electronic parts and other sectors that have shown firm performance “are expected to weaken somewhat,” a ministry official said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]