-- Japan's index of industrial production rose on year in March, but slipped on a seasonally adjusted basis from February, reported the country's Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry (METI) on Thursday.
Japan's industrial production in March rose 2.3% on year, but declined by a seasonally adjusted 0.5% from February, on soft chemical and oil production, reported METI.
Industrial shipments in March rose 2% on year, but declined a seasonally adjusted 1.1% from February, added the agency.
Industries in which output contracted in March included chemicals, petroleum and coal, and general-purpose and business-oriented machinery, said METI.
Sectors that posted expanded output in March included iron, steel and non-ferrous metals, electronic parts and devices, and plastics.
However, survey respondents expected industrial output to rise by 2.1% in April from March, said METI.
The METI survey was roughly in line with recent industry reports from S&P Global.
The Japan manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) slipped from a 45-month high of 53.0 in February to 51.6 in March, but still struck above the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction, reported S&P Global.