Industrial output in November declined 0.8 percent from the previous month, reversing an uptrend logged in October, according to a preliminary report released Wednesday by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
Despite the decline, the ministry stands by its overall assessment that production at mines and factories remains in a rising trend that began in August, a MITI official said.
The seasonally adjusted production index for November reached 105.4 against the 100-point benchmark established in 1995.
The official attributed the month-on-month decline to a drop in production of such items as personal computers, electronic toys and cellular phones.
PC production shrank due to the lull after the introduction of new models in the fall. Electronic toy output was down after the temporary growth of exports to the United States ahead of the Christmas gift season.
In contrast, November saw an increase in the production of such items as steam turbines, electronic components and cars, according to Wednesday's report.
The ministry said it expects industrial output to grow 2 percent in December and 1.5 percent in January on a month-on-month basis.
The shipment index for November also declined 0.3 percent from the previous month.
The inventories index declined 0.7 percent to 95.4, also the first decline in two months. The decline in inventories was conspicuous in such items as small buses and small cars, the official said.