Industrial output up for second straight month
Japan's industrial production rose a seasonally adjusted 3.3 percent in April from the previous month for the second straight monthly increase, the government said Friday.
The index of output at mines and factories stood at 101 against the 2000 base of 100, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report.
The ministry left its assessment of industrial production unchanged from the previous month, saying, "Industrial production is in a gradual recovery trend."
The index of industrial shipments increased 3.9 percent to 103, marking a second straight monthly increase, while the inventory index gained 1.4 percent to 91.3, marking a third consecutive monthly rise.
Industrial production will rise 3.5 percent in May but will fall 1.5 percent in June, the report says.
The April increase in output, which follows a 0.6 percent gain in March, fell short of the average 3.8 percent rise projected by economists polled by Kyodo News ahead of the ministry release.
In April, output increased in 10 sectors, including transport equipment, and declined in three sectors, including ceramics.
CPI edges down 0.1%
The key gauge of consumer prices in Tokyo fell 0.1 percent in May from a year earlier for a record 56th straight month of decline, the government said Friday.
The consumer price index for Tokyo's 23 wards, excluding volatile perishable food prices, stood at 97.5 against the 2000 base of 100, the Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications Ministry said in a preliminary report.
Consumer prices in Tokyo are regarded as a leading indicator of prices nationwide.
The nationwide CPI for April, excluding perishables, dropped 0.2 percent from a year earlier to 97.9.