Japan's industrial output fell 2.3 percent in May from the previous month, amid concerns over weakening export demand after Britain voted to leave the European Union, the government said Thursday.
The seasonally adjusted index of output at factories and mines stood at 95.0 against the base of 100 in 2010, marking the first fall since February, according to a preliminary report of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The chemicals sector, down by 7.5 percent from April, was the biggest contributor to the index's fall, while the machinery sector for various purposes marked a 2.2 percent fall, and the electronic parts and devices sector was down 3.2 percent.
The transport machinery sector was up 0.7 percent, with the production of passenger cars recovering from a halt following the powerful earthquakes in southwestern Japan in April.
The fall came amid growing concerns over weakening export demand and a stronger yen following Britain's vote to exit the European Union. The ministry called the fall "unexpected" and said the trend of output was fluctuating without a clear direction. The index is projected to increase by 1.7 percent in June and by 1.3 percent in July, said the ministry.
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