TOKYO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Japan's industrial output in April was down 0.9 percent from the previous month for the first decline in three months, government data showed Friday.
The seasonally adjusted index of production at factories and mines, based on 2020 levels set at 100, stood at 101.5, following an upwardly revised 0.2 percent increase in March, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Production fell in six out of 15 industrial sectors covered in the survey, including production machinery, transport equipment excluding motor vehicles, and fabricated metals.
Eight industrial categories including electronic parts and devices recorded gains, while other categories including carbon fiber remained flat from the previous month.
The ministry maintained its basic assessment of industrial output from the previous month as it "fluctuates indecisively."
Based on a poll of manufacturers, the ministry forecasted a production growth of 9.0 percent in May and then a drop of 3.4 percent in June. ■
