Japanese industrial output up 1.8 % cent in October

Japan's industrial production climbed a seasonallyadjusted 1.8 per cent in October from the previous month for thefirst increase in four months, the government said Friday according to dpa. The rise, which was better than the 2.0-per-cent fall predicted byanalysts cited by the Nikkei business daily, followed a 4.1-per-centdecrease in September. Electronic parts and devices, fabricated metals and transportequipment industries contributed the bulk of the increase, theMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report. The ministry maintained its basic assessment, saying industrialoutput "is on a downward trend." The index of production at factories and mines stood at 88.1 against a baseline of 100 for 2005, the ministry said. Manufacturers surveyed by the ministry expected output to edgedown 0.1 per cent in November and jump 7.5 per cent in December, theministry said.