TOKYO (AP) -- The Japanese government says the country's industrial production expanded for the third straight month in January.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Monday that factory output rose 2.4 percent from December. Transport equipment, general machinery, plus iron and steel were the major contributors to the gains.
A survey of industrial production for the next two months showed that output is expected to inch up 0.1 percent this month, then rise 1.9 percent in March.
The steady increases are a positive sign for Japan's faltering economy, as global exports have supported the country's recovery amid tepid domestic demand.
|