Japan industrial output falls, unemployment steady

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's industrial output contracted by 4.1 percent in September from August and 8.1 percent from a year earlier as automakers and steel mills cut production due to shrinking demand and antagonisms with China.

The data released Tuesday by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industrial add to pressures on the central bank to stimulate the economy.

Jobless rate figures for September likewise offered little encouragement, as the government reported the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in September, unchanged from August.

The ratio of job offers to seekers fell to 0.81 from 0.83 in August, meaning there were 81 jobs for every 100 job seekers.

The central bank was meeting Tuesday, with many expecting it to expand its assets-purchasing program, aimed at catalyzing demand to counter slowing growth.