TOKYO, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Japan's industrial output in May grew 0.5 percent from the previous month, helped by demand in the transport equipment and chemicals sectors, government data showed Tuesday.
The seasonally adjusted index of production at factories and mines followed a downwardly revised gain of 0.5 percent in April, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The rise was led by the transport equipment sector excluding motor vehicles, where aircraft engine parts saw strong demand from overseas, followed by inorganic and organic chemicals amid recovery in production of polyethylene and paraxylene, the ministry said.
Eight of the total 15 sectors saw output decline, including general-purpose and business-oriented machinery, electrical machinery, and information and communication electronics equipment.
The ministry maintained its basic assessment of industrial production from the month before, saying it "fluctuates indecisively."
Based on a poll of manufacturers, the ministry expects output to climb 3.7 percent in June and stay flat in July. ■
