Japan's factory output drops 0.1%

Japan's industrial output was down 0. 1 percent in June from the previous month, marking the third consecutive month of contraction, government report said Monday. The index of output at factories and mines stood at 92.1 against the base of 100 for 2005, according to a preliminary report by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The fall was mainly attributed to sectors including transport equipment, electrical machinery, and iron and steel amid a stronger yen and the slowdown in global economy. The ministry also said that the index of industrial shipments slipped 1.5 percent to 93.7 and that of industrial inventories declined 1.4 percent to 107.3. The seasonally adjusted output reading followed a 3.4 percent decline in May.