Japan factory output posts surprise jump but recovery unclear

TOKYO, Oct 29 (AFP):  Japan's September factory production posted its biggest rise in eight months, official data showed Wednesday, but the news failed to dispel doubts about the strength of the wider economy following a recent string of weak figures.
Industrial production rose 2.7 per cent on-month, reversing a drop of 1.9 per cent in August, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.
That reading beat the median market forecast of a 2.2 per cent rise and is the highest rise since a 3.9 per cent expansion in January.
However, the quarterly data were less rosy with output from Japan's factories shrinking 1.9 per cent in July-September from the previous quarter, as makers of cars and home appliances tried to bring down their inventories after an April sales tax rise hit consumer spending.