Industrial production in Japan was up 2.6 percent in November compared to the previous month, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report on Monday, posting a seasonally adjusted index score of 88.3 and rising for the ninth consecutive month.
That was slightly better than analyst expectations for a 2.5 percent monthly gain following the 0.5 percent increase in October.
On an annual basis, industrial production was down 3.9 percent versus forecasts for a 4.3 percent contraction after the 15.1 percent decline in the previous month.
Industries that contributed to the increase included transport equipment, general machinery and others. Commodities that were up included passenger cars, drive transmissions and control parts.
According to the Survey of Production Forecast in Manufacturing, production is expected to increase 3.4 percent in December and to increase 1.3 percent in January. Industries tipped to rise in December include iron and steel, electronic parts and devices and electrical machinery. Industries called higher in January include general machinery, transport equipment and information and communication electronics equipment.
Shipments in November were up 0.9 percent from the previous month, up for the ninth consecutive month. It showed a decrease of 3.1 percent from the previous year.
Inventories in November increased 0.2 percent on month, increasing for the first time in three months. It showed a decrease of 14.6 percent from the previous year. Industries that declined included information and communication electronics equipment, chemicals and transport equipment.
The Inventory-Shipment Ratio fell 3.8 percent on month in November, rising for the first time in two months.
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