Japan's industrial production rose 2.6 percent in fiscal 2002, the first increase in two years, on robust output of automobiles and electronic devices, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Wednesday.
The index of output at mines and factories stood at 93.1 against the 2000 base year of 100, and that of industrial shipments rose 3.3 percent to 94.6 in the fiscal year that ended March 31, METI said in a preliminary report.
The index of industrial inventories fell 5.7 percent to 86.6, down for the second straight year and the lowest figure since fiscal 1983, when the index registered 81.1, a METI official said.