Japan factory production edges up as supply shortages ease

TOKYO (Bloomberg): Japan’s factory production edged up in October, following a three-month slide, adding to signs that the global supply chain crunch may have been easing before the emergence of the omicron variant of the virus.

Higher output of cars, general machinery and factory equipment lifted overall production 1.1% from September, the economy ministry reported Tuesday (nOV 30). Falls in chemicals and steel limited the gains. Analysts had expected a 1.9% increase.