Japan's industrial output unexpectedly falls

Japan's factory output unexpectedly fell 0.1 percent in June from the previous month for the third straight month of decline, adding to signs of losing its recovery momentum after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, official data showed Monday. Amid slowing economy overseas, the fall followed a revised 3.4 percent drop in May, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The ministry revised down its overall assessment of production in the world's third-biggest economy, saying, "Industrial production is flat." It said output was in a recovering trend in its earlier assessment in May. The June fall was chiefly due to a decrease in output from carmakers and transport equipment manufacturers on lower auto demand in Europe caused by the debt crisis. Output in the electrical machinery sector and the iron and steel sector were also sluggish. Looking ahead, manufacturers polled by the ministry expect production will grow 4.5 percent in July but fall 0.6 percent in August.