In brief
In September, Japan’s industrial output grew 2.2 % from the previous month, reversing a 2.4 % decline in August. The gain was driven by automobile production, which surged 5.5 %, while other machinery sectors also expanded. Iron‑and‑steel output fell, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry projects further growth of 5.1 % in October and 0.8 % in November.
Japan’s industrial output climbed 2.2 percent in September, the first increase in three months, preliminary data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry confirmed Friday in Tokyo.
The rise, from 101.9 in August to 104.1 in September on the seasonally adjusted index, was led by automobile manufacturing, where output jumped 5.5 percent, the ministry said. Production of motor vehicles, production machinery and general‑purpose and business‑oriented machinery all posted gains, while seven sectors, including iron, steel and non‑ferrous metals, saw declines.
Shipments edged up 0.6 percent to a 101.0 index in September, and inventories rose 2.5 percent to 99.9, according to the preliminary report. Earlier in August, Japan’s industrial output had fallen 2.4 percent from July.
The ministry’s survey also projects that output will lift 5.1 percent in October and 0.8 percent in November, signaling a potential rebound in manufacturing activity as the country recovers from the devastating Kumamoto earthquake that crippled some factories earlier in the year.
"The automobile sector’s performance reflects a recovery in standard passenger‑car production after the quake," a ministry spokesperson said. "Overall, the data indicate that Japan’s industrial base is regaining momentum.”
While the 2.2 percent rise marks a headline boost, analysts note that the downturn in iron and steel production indicates uneven sectoral recovery and suggest a cautious approach to forecasting longer‑term growth.
