Japan's industrial output goes up

Japan's industrial production increased by a seasonally adjusted 1.7 percent in April from the previous month, rising for the fifth consecutive month, according to government data released Friday.

The index of output at factories and mines stood at 91.9 against the base of 100 for 2005, said the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in a preliminary report.

The index of industrial shipments went up 1.1 percent to 93.4 while that of inventories was up 0.6 percent to 103.4, reported Xinhua.