Japan's industrial production up 0.8% in July

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) – Japan's industrial output grew 0.8% month-on-month in July, slowing down from a record high rise a month ago, official figures showed on Wednesday.

The final reading was below previous estimate of a 1% increase for July.

Production of motor vehicles increased 12%, general-purpose and business oriented machinery was up 8.6%, and machinery rose 6% in the same period, according to the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry.

On an annual basis, Japanese industrial production fell for the fifth consecutive month in July, down 2% from the same period last year.

The shipments index dropped 2.1% year-on-year, while the inventories rose 5.1%, and the inventory ratio went up 10.5%.