TOKYO – Japan’s industrial production fell short of expectations in July as a strong yen, power shortages and slowing global economy compounded the struggle to recover from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Wednesday that industrial production climbed 0.6 percent from the previous month. Its outlook for coming months is mixed.
The increase in July missed forecasts, reflecting the growing pressures of a strong yen and an uncertain global economy. Analysts also blamed electricity shortages around Tokyo and northern Japan.
In its previous report, the ministry had projected a 2.2 percent rise in July following a robust 3.8 percent gain in June.
The Nikkei 225 stock average closed little changed at 8,955.20 while most other Asian markets gained.
The world’s No. 3 economy relies on exports to drive growth, and any downturn in overseas demand threatens to undermine progress made since the disaster. The tsunami wiped out
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