Japan's Industrial Output Down 1.2% In February

Japan's February industrial output fell a revised 1.2% from January, less than previously thought, official figures showed April 17. Industrial production was up 3.9% from a year earlier, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.

Shipments in February declined 2% from January. Inventories rose 0.2%.

Economists say that as the industrial production index has already hit historically high levels in recent months, it now has limited room to gain further.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2006