P.M. BRIEFING : Japanese Output Rises Slim 0.5%

TOKYO —  Japan’s industrial output in May rose marginally by 0.5% over the preceding month but this does not signal a slowdown in the domestic economy, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry said today.

The ministry said the production index for May stood at 118.8 against the 1985 base of 100, up 0.5% over April after seasonal adjustments. The gain was smaller than the ministry’s preliminary report of a 0.9% gain in late June.

The nation’s industrial output fell 3.8% in April, a turnaround from a 5.4% rise in March.

“The economy continues to pick up steam, and we expect industrial production to rise further in the coming months,” a ministry official said. He said the lower than expected May rise “does not signal a slowdown” in Japan’s economy.