The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Wednesday revised February figures for industrial production, to an increase of 1.2 percent rather than the initial report of 1.3 percent. METI also said that the seasonally adjusted index of output at mines and factories came to 92.1 against the 1995 base of 100.
The industrial capacity utilization ratio rose 2.7 percent to 91.3, up for the third consecutive month and by the largest margin since a 3.2 percent gain in January 1997, but most of the increase appears to be due to progress in the disposal of excess capacity. Output growth was also a factor.
"Some favorable signs are appearing," a METI official said. "But whether the ratio will continue rising deserves careful attention, taking into account moves on the demand side."