Japan's Factory Output Rises for Second Month

Increase driven by production of integrated circuits and autos, despite external demand risks.

Japan's factory output rose for a second consecutive month in October, increasing by 1.0% from the previous month, according to data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
Production of electronic parts and devices, including integrated circuits, climbed 6.6% in October, while motor vehicle output jumped 2.0% month-on-month.
Despite disruptions at Toyota Motor, the automaker reported a 39.2% rise in domestic production, attributing the increase to easing chip shortages.
Japanese retail sales expanded 4.2% in October from a year earlier, marking a 20th straight month of gains, but shrank 1.6% compared with the previous month.
A survey by market research firm Teikoku Databank predicts a significant deceleration in consumer price hikes next year, with a near 80% decrease in food companies' plans to raise prices.