Japan’s Industrial Output Up 0.1 pct in July

“The lead should have read, … “mainly reflecting”…instead of as sent. A substitute story follows.) Japan’s Industrial Output Up 0.1 pct in July Tokyo, Aug. 31 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s industrial production in July inched up 0.1 pct from the previous month, rising for the fourth consecutive month, mainly reflecting strong export demand for semiconductor-manufacturing equipment, government data showed Monday. The seasonally adjusted production index for the manufacturing and mining sectors came to 104.7 against the 2020 base of 100, the industry ministry said. The ministry kept its basic assessment unchanged, saying that industrial production is fluctuating “indecisively.” The index rose in 10 of the 15 industries surveyed. The production machinery sector posted a 5.1 pct increase, supported by brisk exports of chip-manufacturing equipment. Production rose 6.0 pct in the inorganic and organic chemicals sector and output grew 2.6 pct in the electronic parts and devices sector. The shipment index was up 2.2 pct, the first rise in two months, while the inventory index edged up 0.5 pct, marking a consecutive month of growth. Output in the manufacturing sector is forecast to rise 6.4 pct in August and decline 4.2 pct in September. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]