TOKYO, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Japan's industrial output rose 1.1 percent in October from the previous month, the first increase in four months, thanks to growing production by the automobile and machinery industries, government data showed Tuesday.

The seasonally adjusted index of output at factories and mines stood at 90.5 on the base of 100 in 2015, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said in a preliminary report.

However, the METI maintained its basic assessment since August that industrial production "is pausing."

Among the eight industries logging an increase compared with the previous month, output for automobiles increased 15.4 percent, and that for production machinery including semiconductor manufacturing equipment rose 4.2 percent.

"Due to an easing of materials and parts shortages, output in October turned upward," a METI official said.

Among the six industries marking a decline in production, inorganic and organic chemicals saw a 3.3 percent decrease.

Looking ahead, METI expects the output in November and December will increase 9.0 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively, citing a survey of manufacturers.

The official also said the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 seems to have had no impact on production so far, but it is unclear how the output in December and beyond will be affected.

It is necessary to keep eyes on the variant's possible influence on supply of parts and materials, among other factors, he said.

The index of industrial shipments grew 2.0 percent to 88.3 while that of inventories went up 0.8 percent at 98.9, according to the data. Enditem

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