Industrial production in Japan continues to show an upward movement, said a preliminary report released on Monday by the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI).

Industrial production in Japan rose a seasonally adjusted 0.5 percent in October from September, marking the eighth successive month of production growth in Japan, although the report showed a decrease of 15.1 percent from the previous year.

The index of output at mines and factories stood at 86.1 against 100 the 2005 base-average, the preliminary report said.

Industries that had mainly contributed to October's industrial production increase are: general machinery, fabricated metals and information and communication electronics equipment, in that order, said the report.

Commodities primarily contributing to the increase are: metal oxide semiconductor ICs (memory), semiconductor products machinery and parts and accessories of steam turbines, in that order.

METI's industrial production report also showed that industrial shipments had increased, industrial inventory decreased and the inventory ratio for October had remained flat.

Shipments in October increased 1.3 percent from the previous month, according to the report, showing an increase for the eighth consecutive month. It showed a decrease of 13.0 percent from the previous year. The seasonally adjusted index in October was 88.

Industries that chiefly contributing to the increase are: transport equipment, Information and communication electronics equipment and General machinery, in that order, said the report.

Inventory in October decreased 1.5 percent from the previous month, showing a decrease for the second consecutive month and a decrease of 14.4 percent from the previous year. The seasonally adjusted index in October was 93.3.

Industries responsible for the decrease are general machinery, iron and steel and transport equipment, in that order, said the report.

Inventory ratio in October was flat at 0.0 percent from a month earlier, although the report showed an increase of 3.0 percent from the previous year. The seasonally adjusted index in October was 116.9.

(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2009)