Japan industrial production gained in October, suggesting output may have recovered from mid-year doldrums and tariff pressures.
The nation's industrial output rose a seasonally adjusted 1.4% on month in October from September, and rose 1.5% on year, reported the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) on Friday.
Industrial shipments rose a seasonally adjusted 0.8% on month in October from September, and inclined by 0.8% on year, added METI.
Of 15 surveyed industries, 10 sectors recorded growth, including autos, electrical machinery, information and communication products and electronics equipment, reported METI.
Five sectors declined, including electronic parts and devices, added the agency.
Automobile output rose 7.2% on month in October, possibly reflecting the settling down of tariffs on exports to the US.
However, industrial output is expected to decrease in November and December, according to its survey of manufacturers, said METI.
The official October industrial report was modestly more optimistic than recent purchasing manager index (PMI) reports from S&P Global.
The Japan manufacturing PMI logged at 48.2 in October, down from 48.5 in September, and drifting below the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction, reported S&P Global.