Japan's factory production shows first sign of recovery

Japanese automakers have been working at reduced capacity after the quake and tsunami

Japan's industrial output continues to be battered by the after effects of the earthquake and tsunami.

However, the latest government figures indicate that manufacturing is showing its first signs of recovery.
Factory output rose by 1% in April from the previous month as companies worked towards dealing with problems in supply chain disruption.
On an annual basis, output dipped by 14% in April.
Analysts say the latest figures indicate that things are improving for the manufacturers.
"From May a V-shaped recovery may start and it may keep rising through July and August," said Kyohei Morita of Barclays Capital.
Yoshimasa Maruyama of Itochu Economic Research Institute added that given the speed of recovery Japanese industrial output could return to normal levels faster than expected.
"If we continue at this pace I think we will return to pre-quake production levels by about August or September," he said.
'Biggest factor'

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The biggest factor here is the auto industry. It's factoring in a greatly improved outlook for car production”

Yoshimasa Maruyama Itochu Economic Research Institute

One of the hardest hit sectors has been Japanese car manufacturing.

Carmakers usually do not stockpile a large inventory of parts, so when the earthquake and tsunami damaged supply chains, car makers in Japan had to suspend production.
Earlier this week Toyota Motors said production at its Japanese factories was down by 74.5% in April compared to last year.
Honda reported a decline of 81%, while Nissan said its domestic factories produced 48.7% fewer cars in April.
Analysts said a rebound in car manufacturing is key for Japan's factory output to get back to pre-quake levels.
"The forecasts are for big rises (in industrial output) in May and June," Mr Maruyama said.
"The biggest factor here is the auto industry. It's factoring in a greatly improved outlook for car production," he added.