Japan records better than expected industrial output in September

Japan logged a better-than-expected industrial output index in September, up 2.7 percent from the month earlier to 97.8 against the base of 100 in 2010, the Industry Ministry said Wednesday.
The gain on the seasonal adjusted base came after a 1.9-percent decrease in August and is higher than a 2.2-percent forecast by markets, the ministry said in a preliminary report, adding the gain may show the recovery of demand after April's sales tax hike.
The ministry also upgraded its basic assessment of output, saying it is "fluctuating" between positive and negative territories, comparing that August's remark of "weakened."
By sector, output by transport equipment manufacturers, including automakers, gained 4.7 percent. The electronic parts and devices sector saw a 5.8-percent rise.
The index of industrial shipments jumped 4.3 percent to 97.9, while that of inventories was down 0.8 percent at 111.7.