Japan's output jumps on cars, hi-techs but export demand to stumble

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2005

TOKYO (AFP) — Japan's industrial production jumped for the first time in three months on strong exports of cars and hi-tech products but saw sluggish output in May as Asian demand slips.

April industrial output grew 2.2 percent month-on-month, in line with expectations, after falling a revised 0.2 percent in March, the trade ministry said in a preliminary report.

"Production of passenger cars was strong due to rising demand in North America and at home and also growing production of trucks contributed to the April output thanks to steady demand in Asia," a trade ministry official said.

While the output surged in April, the government left unchanged its total assessment of industrial production which includes inventories and projected a sharp drop in output...