Japan factory output seen down again, retail sales up amid fragile recovery By Reuters – Investing.com

Japan factory output seen down again, retail sales up amid fragile recovery By Reuters – Investing.com

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises from a factory during the sunset at Keihin industrial zone in Kawasaki

By Tetsushi Kajimoto TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's factory output likely fell for a second straight month in March, but retail sales were set for a solid rebound from the prior month's decline, a Reuters poll showed on Friday, underscoring a fragile recovery from the coronavirus crisis. The mixed batch of indicators will follow a government move to issue a third state of emergency in Tokyo and other major regions for April 25 to May 11 in a blow to service-sector activity, stoking fears of a double-dip recession. Under a new state of emergency, the government is expected to require restaurants, bars, and karaoke parlours serving alcohol, department stores and other large retailers to close. Industry ministry data out at 8:50 a.m. April 30 (2350 GMT April 29) is expected to show factory output fell 2.0% month-on-month in March, following a 1.3% drop in the previous month, according to a Reuters poll of 18 economists. That would raise concerns about factory activity, which is seen as a key driver of economic recovery led by global demand for cars and electronics. The outlook is clouded