Japan industrial output rises 2.0% in January

Japan's industrial production posted its strongest rise in 11 months in December on the back of improving global demand for the nation's goods, data showed Monday, in more evidence of recovery from a recent lull.Japan's industrial output jumped 3.1 percent in December from the previous month, marking a second straight monthly rise and beating forecasts of a 2.9 percent rise.The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry upgraded its view of production, saying it was "showing signs of an upward movement" compared with the previous month's report that said output remained weak.

By Tetsushi KajimotoTOKYO (Reuters) - Growth in Japan's factory output likely accelerated in January and core inflation hovered near five-year highs, a Reuters poll showed, underscoring the ongoing economic recovery despite fears that momentum may soon start to fade.

Japanese factories boosted output in September, data showed Wednesday, reversing a slide the previous month and supplying more evidence the world's third-largest economy is gathering steam.Industrial production rose 1.5 percent in September from the previous month after a 0.9 percent decline in August."Industrial production continues to show an upward movement," the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said, referring to a general positive trend in factory output in recent months.

Japan's industrial output slipped for a third consecutive month in August, official data showed Thursday, indicating that a fragile export-led recovery is continuing to lose steam.Output fell 0.3 percent in August, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said, the figure missing expectations of a 1.1 percent rise."Industrial production is flat and is likely to be weak," it said, adding that the general machinery sector and iron and steel production were the main contributors to the monthly decrease.

Japan's factory output tumbled 3.1 percent in May, official data showed Friday, a bigger-than-expected drop as a slump overseas hurt exports but other figures pointed to a healthier picture at home. The output decline comes amid growing fears about the fiscal situation in Europe -- a major market for Japanese products -- and a strong yen hurting Japan, the world's third-largest economy.A survey of economists polled by Dow Jones Newswires showed expectations for a 2.8 percent fall in industrial production in May.

(TOKYO) — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decided Tuesday to go ahead with a much debated sales tax hike needed to offset Japan‘s soaring public debt. The sales tax will rise to 8 percent in April from the current 5 percent, Abe announced at a policy meeting of ruling party and top government officials. The Cabinet is due to approve the increase later in the day. The Cabinet is also expected to give a green light for tax breaks and other stimulus measures meant to counter the wallop to consumer demand from the tax hike.

(TOKYO) — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decided Tuesday to go ahead with a much debated sales tax hike needed to offset Japan‘s soaring public debt. The sales tax will rise to 8 percent in April from the current 5 percent, Abe announced at a policy meeting of ruling party and top government officials. The Cabinet is due to approve the increase later in the day. The Cabinet is also expected to give a green light for tax breaks and other stimulus measures meant to counter the wallop to consumer demand from the tax hike.

Japan's industrial output rose for a third straight month in January on stronger overseas demand, but the pace was slower than expected and high energy costs amid the Mideast crisis spell fresh risks.Factory production rose 2.4 percent month on month, according to the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, supported by carmakers and semiconductor-manufacturing devices.Although it represents the third gain in a row the figure was down from December's surprise 3.3 percent jump and also off the 3.8 percent predicted in a survey by the Nikkei business daily.