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

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's industrial output in November increased a largest-ever 7.2 percent from the previous month, as car production rebounded from a slump caused by a global semiconductor shortage and supply chain disruptions, government data showed Tuesday.

       The seasonally adjusted index of production at factories and mines stood at 97.7 against the 2015 base of 100, up for the second straight month and marking the largest month-to-month gain since comparable data became available in February 2013, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report.

       The ministry upgraded its basic assessment from the previous month, for the first time since August last year, that industrial production "shows picking-up movement," as opposed to the previous month's view that said it "is pausing."

       The latest figure followed an upwardly revised 1.8 percent growth in October.

       By component, production in the auto industry marked the biggest expansion of 43.1 percent from October, up for the second month in a row and contributing most to the overall growth.

       Until September, car output had been hit hard by a worldwide chip shortage and a disruption in the supply of parts from Southeast Asian nations due to restrictions on economic activities caused by the spread of coronavirus infections.

       "The impact of the part supply shortages began to ease in October, and was mitigated further in November," a ministry official told reporters.

       Output of plastic products also surged 9.5 percent, driven by increasing demand for those used for automobiles.

       Looking ahead, the ministry expects output to keep expanding, up 1.6 percent in December and 5.0 percent in January, based on a poll of manufacturers.

       Meanwhile, the official warned of "downside risks" for the December projection, citing that some domestic automakers are planning production adjustments for the month mainly due to supply issues in Southeast Asia.

       In the reporting month, the index of industrial shipments rose 7.4 percent to 95.3, while that of inventories was up 1.7 percent at 100.4.

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