The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in Friday's preliminary reading rising for the first time in four months, Industrial production in Japan gained a seasonally adjusted 1.8% on month in October. The headline figure beat expectations for a decline of 2.0% following the 4.1% decline in September. On a yearly basis, industrial production dipped 4.3%also beating forecasts for a fall of 8.0% after shedding 8.1% in the previous month.
Upon the release of the data, the METI maintained its assessment of industrial production, saying that "Industrial production is on a downward trend."
Industries that contributed to the increase in October include electronic parts, fabricated metals and transport equipment. Commodities that contributed to the decline include metal oxide semiconductor ICs, active matrix LCDs and photovoltaic modules.
According to the survey of production forecast in manufacturing, production is expected to decrease 0.1% in November and increase 7.5% in December.
Industries that contribute to the fall in November include transport equipment, electronics equipment and iron and steel. Industries that mark the increase in December include transport equipment, electronic parts, electrical parts and general machinery.
Shipments were flat on month in October after dipping in the previous month. They were also down 4.7% on year, thanks to a decline in communications equipment, general machinery and non-ferrous metals.
Inventories were up 0.3% on month, rising for the first time in three months. They were also up 4.2% on year thanks to gains among electronic parts, electrical machinery and petroleum and coal products.
The inventory ratio was down 1.8% on month in October, after rising in the previous month. It was also up 9.8% on year.
