TOKYO – Japan’s industrial output in 2025 grew 0.8 percent from the previous year, marking a rise for the first time in four years, helped by increases in the production of electronic parts and devices, government data showed Friday.
The index of production at factories and mines in 2025 stood at 102.0 against the 2020 base of 100, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report.
Auto production also helped lift annual output despite the impact of higher tariffs imposed by the United States.
“With a certain level of tariffs remaining, there is no doubt that profits have been affected,” a ministry official said, adding the data shows “producers are enduring the situation.”
Although uncertainty persists over U.S. tariffs and deteriorating Japan-China relations, firms are gauging the situation objectively, the official said.
The annual index of industrial shipments rose 0.4 percent to 100.3, while that of inventories fell 2.7 percent to 96.1.
In December alone, industrial output dropped a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent from the previous month to 101.8, following a 2.7 percent drop in November.
The ministry maintained its basic assessment that production “fluctuates indecisively,” while projecting a 9.3 percent jump in January and a 4.3 percent decline in February based on a poll of manufacturers.
Seven of the 15 industrial sectors covered in the survey saw output decreases, including production machinery, chemicals — but not inorganic and organic chemicals and medicine — and pulp, paper and paper products.
Seven other sectors logged increases, including general-purpose and business-oriented machinery, electrical machinery, information and communication electronics equipment and motor vehicles, while the iron, steel and non-ferrous metals sector remained flat.
The index of industrial shipments declined 1.7 percent to 98.9, while inventories rose 1.0 percent to 98.3 in the month.
AloJapan.com