The following is the unedited transcript of the news release from the METI, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.


Changes in Production

Industrial Production

Industrial Production in May increased 2.9% from the previous month, showing an increase for the first time in three months. It showed an increase of 1.2% from the previous year. The index in May was 109.4(seasonally adjusted).

Industries that mainly contributed to the increase are as follows: 1. Transport equipment, 2.Information and communication electronics equipment, 3.Electronic parts and devices, in that order.

Commodities that mainly contributed to the increase are as follows: 1.Large passenger cars, 2. Cellular telephone, 3.Drive, transmission and Control parts, in that order .

Survey of Production Forecast( for June and July )

According to the Survey of Production Forecast in Manufacturing, Production is expected to decrease 0.9% in June and to increase 2.2% in July.

Survey of Production Forecast

(Changes in Planned Production on a month-on-month basis (%))

Industries that mainly contributed to the decrease in June are as follows: 1. Transport equipment, 2.General machinery, 3.Electrical machinery, in that order.

Industries that mainly contributed to the increase in July are as follows: 1.General machinery, 2.Transport equipment, 3.Electrical machinery, in that order.

The Realization Ratio in May showed a decrease of 1.7%. The Amendment Ratio in June showed a decrease of 1.7%.

The Survey of Production Forecast is conducted monthly to search the planned production amounts for the current and proceeding months. The survey is one of the useful economic indicators which reflect changing business conditions and provide a view of where the economy is heading in near future.

The Realization Ratio is defined as the ratio of the real amount of the previous month in the current time''s survey to the estimated amount for the current month in the previous time''s survey.

The Amendment Ratio is defined as the ratio of estimated amount for the current month in the current time''s survey to the estimated amount for the following month in the previous time''s survey.

Changes in Shipments

Shipments in May increased 2.1% from the previous month, showing an increase for the second consecutive month. It showed an increase of 1.8% from the previous year. The index in May was 110.3(seasonally adjusted).

Industries that mainly contributed to the increase are as follows: 1. Transport equipment, 2.Information and communication electronics equipment, 3.General machinery, in that order.