Sluggish data shows Japan's economy crawling along

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2005

TOKYO (AFP) — Japan's industrial output growth remained sluggish in October while the jobless rate saw the sharpest deterioration in more than a year, official figures show, suggesting the world's second-largest economy is recovering but at a slow pace.

The trade ministry said October industrial output rose 0.6 percent from September, the third consecutive monthly expansion but defying hopes of a stronger pick-up.

Separate data showed the unemployment rate rose to 4.5 percent in October from 4.2 percent in September, the first increase in three months.

Both sets of figures fell short of expectations.

Industrial output picked up 0.4 percent in September but economists had been looking for growth of about 1.2 percent in October after the previous...