Japan's Industrial Output Falls 2.1% In February

Japan's industrial production fell 2.1% in February month on month, from a rise of 2.1% in January, the trade ministry said in a preliminary report on March 30. A survey of manufacturers by the ministry projected industrial output would rise 0.9% in March and jump 3.6% in April.

Slower production in the electrical machinery, general machinery and electronic devices sectors put pressure on the overall level of production, the ministry said. Meanwhile shipments also fell 3.8% month on month, after rising for three straight months. Inventories rose 1.4% from the previous month, increasing for two straight months, the ministry said.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2005