Japan’s factory output hit by car production cuts, Ukraine crisis adds to risks
TOKYO : Japan's factory output shrank for the second month in January as the auto sector grappled with production suspensions due to the pandemic, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine intensifying pressure on an economy facing the risk of a contraction.
Even before the Ukraine crisis erupted, factories in the world's third-largest economy were struggling with global parts supply disruptions and coronavirus infections of the Omicron variant at home.
"Car output decreased substantially due to a worsening chip shortage and supply bottlenecks," said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute.
"That spilled over (into other industries such as) steel, which also fell."
Factory output slumped 1.3per cent in January from the previous month, official data showed on Monday, h...