Three of Japan's five major automakers increased overseas production in May from the same month a year ago on strong overseas demand, according to figures released Monday.
Toyota Motor Corp. said its overseas production increased 12.2 percent from the year before to 340,267 units, marking the 53rd straight month of increase.
Honda Motor Co. marked an 11.4 percent increase in overseas output to 203,020 units and Mazda Motor Corp. boosted overseas production 4.8 percent to 23,551 units.
But Nissan Motor Co. reported a 2.4 percent decline in overseas production to 166,798 units, and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. posted a 9.0 percent decrease to 51,377 units.
Nissan posted declines in overseas and domestic production, exports and domestic sales, marking the second straight month of decline in all four categories. Amid concerns over sluggish demand, Nissan has begun reducing production at some of its domestic factories.
Toyota, Mazda and Mitsubishi increased exports, while Honda and Nissan marked declines.
Sales in Japan fell at four of the five. Mitsubishi was the exception, posting a 14.1 percent increase to 16,888 units.