TOKYO: Japanese industrial production fell at a faster rate than forecast in January, recording the sharpest fall since the 2011 earthquake. Industrial production fell 6.6 per cent month on month in January, tumbling at a faster pace than the 4.2 per cent decrease forecasts by economists in a Reuters poll. That was down from 2.9 per cent growth recorded in December.
Transport equipment and general-purpose, production and business-oriented machinery contributed to the decrease, according to the ministry. The ministry said production is expected to pick up in February and decrease in March.