Japan's industrial output falls 0.9 pct in November

TOKYO, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Japan's industrial output in November fell 0.9 percent from a month earlier, dragged by motor vehicles and electronics, government data showed Thursday.

The seasonally adjusted index of production at factories and mines stood at 104.0 against the 2020 base of 100, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report. The reading marked the first decline in three months, following a 1.3 percent expansion in October.

The drop was primarily attributable to a fall in the automotive sector, especially in small passenger vehicles, reversing the trend of recent increases, a ministry official said.

Eleven Of the 15 sectors covered by the survey logged decreased production, with output in the automobile industry falling 2.5 percent, while four reported increases, data showed.

Production of electronic components and devices also contributed to the downturn with a 3.5 percent drop, led by integrated circuit memory chips, the ministry said.

The government maintained its basic assessment of industrial output since July, saying it "fluctuates indecisively."