This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/13593200
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Japan's industrial production continues to suffer | Japan's industrial production continues to suffer |
(40 minutes later) | |
Japan's industrial output continues to be battered by the after effects of the earthquake and tsunami. | Japan's industrial output continues to be battered by the after effects of the earthquake and tsunami. |
Factory output was down by 14.0% in April compared with the same month a year ago, the latest government data shows. | |
This follows a record 15.3% plunge in March. | This follows a record 15.3% plunge in March. |
However compared with the previous month, industrial production rose by 1%, indicating that conditions may be improving slowly. | |
Japanese manufacturers have been hit hard by disruption to the country's supply chain due the destruction caused by the 11 March earthquake and tsunami. | |
A shortfall in the supply of parts and power cuts has seen many factories suspend or curb production. | |
'Biggest factor' | |
One of the hardest hit sectors has been Japanese car manufacturing. | |
Carmakers usually do not stockpile a large inventory of parts, so when the earthquake and tsunami damaged supply chains, car makers in Japan had to suspend production. | |
Earlier this week Toyota Motors said production at its Japanese factories was down by 74.5% in April compared to last year. | |
Honda reported a decline of 81%, while Nissan said its domestic factories produced 48.7% fewer cars in April. | |
Analysts say a rebound in car manufacturing is key for Japan's factory output to get back to pre-quake levels. | |
"The forecasts are for big rises (in industrial output) in May and June," said Yoshimasa Maruyama of Itochu Economic Research Institute. | |
"The biggest factor here is the auto industry. It's factoring in a greatly improved outlook for car production," he added. |