Industrial production in Japan climbed 1.5% in November from the previous month for the first rise in two months, the government said Wednesday.

    The reading was slightly below the average estimate of a 1.6% increase by a Nikkei business daily poll. In October, the index was flat. "Industrial production shows picking-up movement," the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a statement. 

    Manufacturers expect industrial production to grow 2% in December and rise 2.2% in January, according to a survey conducted by the ministry. The index of industrial shipments climbed 0.9% to 99.2 in November from the previous month, and that of industrial inventories fell 1.5% to 107.0, the ministry said.