MNI DATA IMPACT: Japan Dec Ind. Output +1.3% M/M;Shipment Unch

     TOKYO (MNI) - Japan's industrial production rose 1.3% m/m in December,

driven by production activities and shipments, data released by the Ministry of

Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Friday showed. 

     Here are key points in the data: 

--Industrial production edged up for the first time in three months by 1.3% m/m

in December, compared with last month's 0.9% m/m fall. Production fell a sharp

4.0% q/q in Q4, as activity was still "weak" in December.

     --Shipments remained unchanged in December, compared with the previous

-1.7%% m/m fall. The result was a mix of rising demand in the production

machinery industry and falling demand in the automobile industry, METI said. 

     --Inventories grew 1.6% m/m, rising from November's 1.1% m/m drop. The rise

is the first in two months.

     --METI sees production rising 3.5% (revised up from 2.5%) in January before

gaining 4.1% in February. 

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

--MNI Sydney Bureau; +61 405322399; email: lachlan.colquhoun.ext@marketnews.com

[TOPICS: M$A$$$,M$J$$$,M$U$$$,MT$$$$]