TOKYO, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Japan's industrial output increased in October from a month earlier, the government said in a report on Friday.

According to the the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), factory output here rose 2.9 percent on month, with the seasonally adjusted index of production at factories and mines standing at 105.9 against the 2015 base of 100.

The latest data follows a revised 0.4 percent decline in September, the ministry's data set showed.

Based on the ministry's preliminary results, it said in its basic assessment that industrial production is "picking up slowly."

The ministry's data showed that the index of industrial shipments increased 5.4 percent to 106.6 and inventories dropped 1.4 percent at 101.2 during the recording period.

Looking ahead, factory output is expected to increase 0.6 percent in November and 2.2 percent in December, according to manufacturers surveyed by the ministry.