July 31, 2007	Tuesday	Rajab 15, 1428

TOKYO, July 30: Japan's industrial output grew 1.2 per cent in June, the first increase in four months as factories stepped up output after a recent soft patch, official data showed on Monday.

The month-on-month rebound was seen as supporting the central bank's case for an August interest rate rise although views are divided on the chances of a hike.

Production was 1.0 per cent higher in June compared with a year earlier, lifted by rising output of electronic parts and devices, automobiles and IT equipment, according to the report, which matched market expectations. —AFP