Japanese factories saw output rise for the second straight month in March as strong global demand for high-tech chips helped to ease some doubts that are weighing on the country's economic outlook.
After struggling to stage a convincing recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the world's third-biggest economy is facing pressure from Russia's war in Ukraine, high energy and commodity prices, and strict Chinese lockdown measures that are hurting demand.
Factory output expanded 0.3% in March from the previous month, official data showed on Thursday, as growing production of items such as semiconductors offset a drop in motor vehicle output.