MNI 5 THINGS: Japan Nov Indus Output -1.1% M/M: METI

--Japan METI Forecast Index: Dec Output +2.2% M/M, Jan -0.8%

--METI: Dec Output F'cast Adjusted For Upward Bias -0.7% M/M

--METI Keeps View Factory Output Picking Up Moderately

     TOKYO(MNI) - Japan's industrial production declined in November, although

beating analysts' expectations, preliminary data released Friday by the Ministry

of Economy, Trade and Industry showed. Here are five key points: 

--Industrial production fell 1.1% in November from October, against an MNI

forecast for a 1.9% drop. Production rose 2.9% in October. 

     --Output in 8 out of 15 industries declined month-on-month. Drops in

general purpose and commercial machinery industries, electronic parts and device

industries and the automobile industry largely contributed to the reduction.

     --Shipments dropped by 1.4% m/m from 3.5% gain last month, hit by lower

general equipment and electronic machineries output, along with smaller

communication equipment shipments. Inventories increased by 0.2%, rising from

last month's 0.3% drop.

     --Industrial production may rise 2.2% on month in December (the growth was

revised up from -0.7% in the previous forecast), and fall 0.8% m/m in January,

METI said.

     --METI kept its view - "factory output picking up moderately", previously

it had said "weakness is seen in some areas."

--MNI Beijing Bureau; tel: +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: flora.guo@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

[TOPICS: MAJDS$,MAUDR$,MAUDS$,M$A$$$,M$J$$$,M$U$$$,MT$$$$]