Japan's Industrial Production Shows Slight Increase

In a sign of steady economic recovery, Japan's seasonally adjusted industrial production index rose by 0.2% in March, reaching 102.4. This marks a 1% increase compared to the same month in the previous year, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Shipments and Inventories Show Mixed Results

The shipments index, however, experienced a downturn, declining by 1.8% month-on-month to 99.7 and dropping by 0.3% year-on-year. On a brighter note, the inventories index stood at 102.1, showing a 1.2% increase from the previous month, though it was down by 0.7% compared to March 2024.

Inventory Ratio Adjustments

The inventory ratio was recorded at 107.3, reflecting a 4.4% decrease monthly but a slight 0.6% increase annually, indicating a complex balance between production and demand.