Industrial production in Japan climbed a seasonally adjusted 1.5 percent in September compared to the previous month, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in Wednesday's preliminary reading - reversing the previous month's contraction.
The headline figure was slightly below forecasts for an increase of 1.8 percent following the 0.9 percent decline in August.
On a yearly basis, industrial production jumped 5.4 percent - just shy of expectations for an increase of 5.5 percent following the 0.4 percent decline in the previous month.
For the third quarter of 2013, industrial production gained 1.8 percent on quarter.
Upon the release of the data, the METI's assessment of industrial production was that it continues to show an upward movement.
Industries that contributed to the increase in September included transport equipment, electronic devices and communications equipment. Commodities that contributed to the increase included large passenger cars, active matrix LCDs and small passenger cars.
According to the survey of production forecast in manufacturing, production is expected to increase 4.7 percent in October and decrease 1.2 percent in November.
Industries that contribute to the increase in October include business oriented machinery, communications equipment and electrical machinery. Industries that contribute to the decline in November include business oriented machinery, electrical machinery and communications equipment.
Shipments in September climbed 1.6 percent on month, reversing the previous month's losses. Shipments also were up 4.7 percent on year.
Industries that contributed to the increase included transport equipment, petroleum and coal products and communications equipment.
Inventories eased 0.2 percent on month in September, contracting for the second straight month. Inventories also dropped 3.5 percent on year.
Industries that saw contraction included petroleum and coal products, iron and steel and electrical machinery.
The inventory ratio in September dropped 2.0 percent on month, reversing the previous month's gains. It also dipped 7.0 percent on year.
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