Japan's industrial output drops 0.5 pct in March amid Mideast conflict

　　TOKYO, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Japan's industrial output in March edged down 0.5 percent from the previous month on a crude oil price surge and supply chain disruptions stemming from the Middle East conflict, which weighed on the output of chemical and petroleum products, government data showed Thursday.

　　The seasonally adjusted index of production at factories and mines stood at 101.9 against the 2020 base of 100, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in the preliminary report.

　　The decrease followed a 2 percent decline in February. Eight of the 15 sectors surveyed reported a drop in output.

　　In fiscal 2025, industrial output slipped 0.2 percent from the previous year to 101.2, marking the fourth consecutive year of decline.

　　Based on a survey of manufacturers, the ministry expects output to climb 2.1 percent in April and 2.2 percent in May. ■