TOKYO: Japan's factory output in March fell by a less-than-expected 0.3 percent on-month, data showed Thursday, but the still-weak data underscored an uncertain recovery in the world's number three economy.
The reading from Japan's trade ministry marked an improvement from the 3.1 percent drop registered in February, and beat the market median forecast for a 2.3 percent drop in a survey of economists by the Nikkei business daily.
But the ministry kept its tepid view on industrial output unchanged in the monthly report, saying "industrial production shows signs of increase at a moderate pace".
A survey of manufacturers' output projections released with the data said production would turn up 2.1 percent in April before falling back 0.3 percent in May.
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