Industrial output fell a seasonally adjusted 2.3 percent in May from the previous month, marking the first drop in three months, the government said Thursday. It cited a weakening in the manufacture of cosmetics, equipment and electronic parts.

The index of output at factories and mines stood at 95.0 against the base of 100 in 2010, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report.

It was the first fall since February and followed a 0.5 percent gain in April, coming amid growing concerns about weakening export demand and a strong yen.