Industrial Production Takes a Slight Hit in January

According to the latest report from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released on Friday, Japan's seasonally adjusted industrial production index experienced a 1.1% decrease in January, settling at 100.5. Despite this monthly decline, the index shows a promising 2.6% increase compared to January of the previous year.

Shipments and Inventories: A Mixed Bag

The shipments index wasn't spared, witnessing a 1.5% drop month-over-month to 98.5, yet it managed a 2% increase year-over-year. On the other hand, the inventories index rose to 101.5, marking a 0.9% increase from December and a 0.5% rise from January 2024. The inventory ratio also saw a slight uptick, increasing by 0.3% to 106.7 in January, alongside a 1.1% annual growth.