TOKYO – Japan’s industrial output in November fell 2.6 percent from the previous month, dragged down by a decline in production of lithium-ion batteries and personal computers, government data showed Friday.
The decrease followed upwardly revised growth of 1.5 percent in October. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry maintained its basic assessment of industrial production from the month before, saying it “fluctuates indecisively.”
The seasonally adjusted index of production at factories and mines stood at 102.0 against the 2020 base of 100, according to the ministry’s preliminary report.
A dozen sectors led by electrical machinery, information and communication electronics equipment, and motor vehicles saw output declines.
Based on a poll of manufacturers, the ministry expects output to rise 1.3 percent in December and jump 8.0 percent in January.
In November, the index of industrial shipments fell 1.6 percent to 100.7, while that of inventories was down 3.0 percent at 97.3.
AloJapan.com