Japan's May industrial output up 0.5%

Japan's industrial production in May increased a seasonally adjusted 0.5 percent from the previous month, according to government data released Monday by the industry ministry.
The index of output at factories and mines stood at 99.8 against the base of 100 in 2010, said the ministry in a preliminary report.
Meanwhile, the ministry maintained its basic assessment of production, saying it "appears to be flat," adding the May figure signaled that the impact of the April 1 sales tax hike on demand might be limited.
By sector, output by transport equipment makers, including auto manufacturers, gained 1.9 percent from the previous month, while that by textile manufacturers also rose 1.9 percent.