Monthly industrial output grew 3 percent in June, marking the first month-on-month rise in three months, according to a preliminary report released Thursday by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
The surprisingly robust growth -- the largest gain in 30 months -- was attributed by the ministry to improvement in the general machine industry due to demand in public works and private investment, as well as car exports to North America.
The seasonally adjusted index of industrial production reached 98.1, against a 100-point benchmark based in 1995.