Japan's industrial production increased at a faster-than-expected pace in March, after falling sharply in the prior month, preliminary figures from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed Thursday.
Industrial production climbed a seasonally adjusted 3.6 percent month-over-month in March, surpassing economists' expectations for a 2.8 percent rise. In February, production had fallen 5.2 percent.
Shipments grew 1.4 percent over the month and inventories went up by 2.8 percent. Inventory ratio also registered a growth of 3.5 percent.
On an annual basis, industrial production edged up 0.1 percent in March, in contrast to a 1.2 percent gain in the preceding month. It was the first increase in four months.
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