Industrial production fell a seasonally adjusted 10.0 percent in January, bringing the record-breaking contraction to three months in a row as exports and domestic demand dived, the government said Friday.
The unprecedented slump took place as the global economic downturn began to take a toll on nearly all industries, not just those dependent on overseas markets, industry ministry officials said.
The index of output at mines and factories stood at 76.0 against the base of 100 for 2005, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in the preliminary report. The latest number means output has been on the decline for four consecutive months, the longest under the current base year.