<div id="readability-page-1"><div>Tuesday, March 310850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Monday, March 30) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases preliminary January industrial production, the outlook for March, April.Mace News median: -2.0% m/m (range: -3.5% to -0.5%) vs. Jan revised to +4.3% from +2.2%; +0.4% y/y (range: -1.2% to +1.9%) vs. Jan revised to +0.7% from +2.3%Tuesday, March 310850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Monday, March 30) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases preliminary February retail sales.Mace News median: +0.4% y/y (range: -1.0% to +0.8%) vs. Jan +1.8%; -1.2% m/m (range: -1.6% to -0.3%) vs. Jan revised to +3.0% from +4.1%TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s industrial production is projected to post its first month-on-month drop in three months in February, down a seasonally adjusted 2.0%, after an upwardly revised 4.3% jump in January (+2.2% in the initial reading) and a 0.6% rise (revised up from being flat) in December.It would be a natural correction to the index of industrial production, which surged to a 31-month high of 104.5 (the highest since 105.0 in June 2023) in January from 100.20 in December. The METI conducted its annual update to seasonal adjustments this month, resulting in wide revisions to recent figures.The sharp increase in January was driven by a rebound in the output of passenger cars. It also reflected rush exports of computer chips, non-ferrous metals and plastics ahead of the holidays in China and some other Asian countries around the Feb. 17 Lunar New Year.The monthly survey by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released last month (before the METI’s annual update to seasonal adjustments) indicated that output would slip back 1.9% on the month in February, led by computer chips and metal products, before dipping a further 2.6% in March due to a pullback in electric and information equipment (including radars) as well as general machinery.Last month, the ministry repeated that industrial output was &#34;taking one step forward and one step back.&#34; The last change was made in the July 2024 report, when it upgraded its view.Japanese retail sales are forecast to post a second straight year-on-year increase in February but the pace of growth is seen slowing to 0.4% from 1.8% in January in payback for a high level of auto sales in February 2025 and a 10th straight drop in fuel sales.The impact of the Mideast conflict triggered by the Feb. 28 attacks on Iran by U.S. and Israeli forces has been largely limited on the domestic front as the government continues to limit energy price hikes with subsidies to refineries and electric power suppliers.In January, falling temperatures boosted demand for heat pumps and new vehicle sales picked up. February sales appear to be propped up by spring clothing amid milder weather but that is not strong enough to lift overall sales and partly offset by falling fuel prices after the government scrapped decades-old surcharges at the end of 2025.The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is expected to maintain its assessment after upgrading it last month, saying retail sales are “on a gradual uptrend.”Industry data released Tuesday showed department store sales rose 1.6% on year in February after rebounding 2.3% in January, led by domestic demand for spring clothing as temperatures climbed in the second half of the month. There remains strong demand for high-end watches and jewelries on the back of booming stock markets before they were hit by a spike in crude oil prices caused by the Iran war that broke out in late February.On the downside, sales to visitors from overseas marked their fourth straight year-on-year decline as Chinese tourists continued boycotting Japan over bilateral diplomatic rows, although spending by visitors from Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia picked up some of the slack.</div></div>

688768

1475

1568

1473

7914

Japan's industrial production is expected to decline by 2.0% in February after a 4.3% increase in January, marking the first month-on-month drop in three months. Retail sales are projected to grow by 0.4% year-on-year, down from 1.8% in January, influenced by falling fuel prices and a decrease in auto sales. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry maintains a positive outlook on retail sales, citing a gradual uptrend despite challenges from international conflicts and declining tourist spending.

- Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released preliminary industrial production data for January, showing a decrease of 2.0% month-on-month, down from a revised 4.3% increase in December.  
- Retail sales in February also showed a year-on-year growth of 0.4%, slowing from January's 1.8%, with month-on-month sales declining by 1.2%.  
- Despite continued government subsidies to limit energy price increases, the impact of geopolitical tensions remains mostly contained, affecting overall sales trends in the retail sector.

Mace News

Ronds

BlackRock, Inc.

Simplex Financial Holdings Co., Ltd.

Asset Management One Co., Ltd.

Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd.

Preview: Japan February Factory Output Forecast to Slip Back After Hitting 31-Month High in January, Retail Sales Seen Sluggish on Falling Fuel Prices