Japan’s industrial production falls in june

Japan’s industrial production fell a seasonally adjusted 0.1% in June from the previous month for the third consecutive monthly decline, providing a fresh sign that sluggish overseas demand is weighing on domestic output activities, especially those of automakers, government data showed Monday. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry revised down its basic assessment of output at factories and mines for the first time since September, saying in a preliminary report that production is showing signs of “leveling off.” In the previous month, the ministry said that output was showing “upward movement,” according to Japan’s (Kyodo) news agency. The output index stood at 92.1 against the base of 100 for 2005, weighed down by declines in the transport equipment, electric machinery and steel sectors.