This Feb. 2, 2019 file photo shows Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Tokyo. (Mainichi)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's industrial output in September fell 5.4 percent from the previous month to its lowest level in 13 months, dragged down by slumping auto production resulting from a semiconductor shortage and supply chain disruptions in Southeast Asia, government data showed Friday.

       The seasonally adjusted index of production at factories and mines stood at 89.5 against the 2015 base of 100, down for the third straight month, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report.

       The ministry retained its basic assessment from the previous month that the recovery in industrial production "has paused," after downgrading the evaluation in August from it was "picking up."

       Production in the auto industry sank 28.2 percent from the previous month, its biggest drop since April 2020, hit by the global chip shortage and disruption of parts supply from Southeast Asia due to restrictions on economic activities amid the spread of coronavirus infections, a ministry official said.

       Auto industry production was down for the third consecutive month.

       Output of general-purpose and business-oriented machinery, such as conveyors and compression machines, fell 5.7 percent for the third consecutive month of decline, as delivery dates were postponed for some makers.

       Looking ahead, the ministry expects output to climb 6.4 percent in October and expand 5.7 percent in November based on a poll of manufacturers.

       "Output may have hit bottom in September since economic activities have been returning to normal in countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia since late September, and a recovery is expected, mainly in the auto industry," the official said.

       The index of industrial shipments decreased 6.2 percent to 86.5, while that of inventories was up 3.7 percent at 98.4.

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