Nov output 0.1 mm vs forecast 0.3
Output of general machinery 7.9, production machinery 5.7
METI cuts view for 2nd month, saying production is weakening
M39;facturers see Dec output 2.8, Jan 0.6, but likely optimistic METI

TOKYO, Dec 28 Reuters Japanese factories slashed output for a third consecutive month in November, dragged down by weak demand for machinery products amid a deteriorating global economic outlook.

The weak production bodes ill for Japanese firms as they face growing calls to raise workers39; pay to counter inflation, seen as essential for the postpandemic growth of the world39;s thirdlargest economy.

The impacts of overseas rate hikes, slower growth and weak capital expenditure demand are gradually reaching Japan, said Masato Koike, economist at Sompo Institute Plus.

Production inevitably remains weak for OctoberDecember and highly likely stalls furthermore as the global economy hasn39;t hit its worst.

Factory output fell 0.1 in November from the previous month, government data showed on Wednesday, a smaller decline than the median market forecast for a 0.3 drop.

That marked the third monthly decrease in Japanese production and followed a revised 3.2 fall in October and 1.7 contraction in September.

Output of general machinery slipped 7.9, while that of production machinery decreased 5.7, driving down the overall index in November. Output of auto products was also down 0.8.

A Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry METI official told a…