TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s factory output rose 0.4% in February, government data showed on Tuesday, slowing from the previous month hit by supply chain disruptions and slumping demand blamed on the rapid spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
That compared with a median market forecast for a 0.1% rise.
Manufacturers surveyed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expect output to fall 5.3% in March and rise 7.5% in April, the data showed.
(Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim)
