Japan's April factory output up 0.3% m-o-m

[TOKYO] Japanese industrial output unexpectedly rose 0.3 per cent in April, government data showed on Tuesday, suggesting production was holding up despite weak exports and the hit from a series of earthquakes in southern Japan during the month.

The increase compared with a median market forecast for a 1.5 per cent drop.

Manufacturers surveyed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expect output to rise 2.2 per cent in May and increase 0.3 per cent in June.

REUTERS