Japan's factory output up fourth straight month

Japan's industrial output rose 2.0 percent in May from the previous month for the fourth consecutive monthly expansion, official data showed Friday, adding to signs that the country's economy is on a recovery path. The growth followed a 0.9 percent revised growth in April, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The gain was mainly attributed to stronger output of general machinery, electrical machinery and chemicals, the ministry said. The ministry maintained its overall assessment of production of the world's third-biggest economy, saying, "Industrial production has shown signs of picking up at a moderate pace." Looking ahead, the ministry said output is expected to fall 2.4 percent in June and then grow 3.3 percent in July. Also on Friday, the government said Japan's jobless rate was flat at 4.1 percent in May from the previous month.