![Monaco Explosion Injures Three, Including Sanctioned Oligarch; Suspect at Large\[]](https://i3.wp.com/www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AFP__20260629__B8QB8GA__v1__HighRes__MonacoFranceExplosionPolice-1782786265.jpg?resize=1920%2C1440&w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Monaco Explosion Injures Three, Including Sanctioned Oligarch; Suspect at Large\[]")
Japan’s industrial production increased 0.5% month‑over‑month in May, slightly missing the forecast of 0.6%, according to preliminary figures from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The seasonally adjusted production index rose to 103.0, based on a 2020 benchmark of 100, reinforcing the ongoing recovery in manufacturing despite the modest shortfall.
The gains were driven primarily by transport equipment, which rose 4.6% month‑over‑month, and by inorganic and organic chemicals, which climbed 3.7% month‑over‑month. Manufacturers remain optimistic, projecting a 3.7% increase in output for June before stabilizing in July. This outlook indicates that factories anticipate continued production support despite persistent uncertainty regarding global demand and trade conditions.
Separate labor‑market data showed the unemployment rate holding steady at 2.5% in May, while the job‑availability ratio slipped slightly from 1.18 to 1.17, implying 117 job openings for every 100 job seekers.
