Japan’s industrial production inched up 0.1% month-over-month in May 2026, slowing from April’s 0.5% gain and undershooting the preliminary estimate, which had suggested a similar increase. Although output rose for a second consecutive month, the weaker result underscored ongoing risks to supply chains and energy costs stemming from prolonged tensions in the Middle East.
By sector, output increased for transport equipment excluding motor vehicles (2.8% vs. -1.8% in April), inorganic and organic chemicals (4.6% vs. -1.8%), and petroleum and coal products (9.1% vs. -3.4%). In contrast, production declined for general-purpose and business-oriented machinery (-6.0% vs. 4.4%), electrical machinery and information and communication electronics equipment (-5.1% vs. 2.7%), and production machinery (-3.5% vs. 0.4%).
On an annual basis, industrial output fell 2.1%, reversing a 2.0% increase in April and marking the first year-on-year decline in six months.
