This July 30, 2021 file photo shows an assembly line at a Toyota Motor Corp.'s plant in Miyawaka, Fukuoka Prefecture. (Mainichi)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's industrial output in October rose 1.1 percent from the previous month for the first increase in four months on the back of increased production by the automobile and machinery industries, government data showed Tuesday.

       The seasonally adjusted index of production at factories and mines stood at 90.5 against the 2015 base of 100, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report.

       The ministry, however, retained its basic assessment since August that industrial production "is pausing."

       Among the eight industries marking month-on-month growth, production rose 15.4 percent for automobiles and 4.2 percent for production machinery including semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

       "Due to an easing of materials and parts shortages, output in October turned upward," a METI official said.

       Among the six industries logging a decrease in production, inorganic and organic chemicals posted a 3.3 percent contraction.

       Looking ahead, METI expects output to grow 9.0 percent in November and 2.1 percent in December, citing a poll of manufacturers.

       The official also said the Omicron variant of the coronavirus seems to have had no impact on production so far but that it is unclear how it will affect output in December and beyond.

       The official said it is necessary to monitor the variant's possible influence on supply of parts and materials, among other factors.

       The index of industrial shipments increased 2.0 percent to 88.3 while that of inventories was up 0.8 percent at 98.9, according to the data.

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