TOKYO, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Japan's factory output increased for a third straight month in August, the government said in a report on Friday. According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, industrial output here rose 2.7 percent in the recording month, following a revised 0.8-percent growth in July. The ministry said in its preliminary report that the seasonally adjusted index of output at factories and mines stood at 99.5 against the 2015 base of 100. With the reading topping 99.1 logged in January 2020, a government official was quoted as saying that industrial output had returned to pre-pandemic levels. The government upgraded its basic assessment on output, saying it was "showing signs of picking up moderately" from its view last month that it was "fluctuating indecisively." The index of industrial shipments rose 1.9 percent to 96.6, marking a third straight month of increase. Inventories also gained for a third successive month, rising 1.4 percent to 101.6, the ministry said. Manufacturers surveyed by the ministry said that looking ahead, they expect factory output to rise 2.9 percent in September and increase 3.2 percent in October.
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