Japanese retail sales grew in August

In August, retail sales in Japan rose to an eight-month peak on an annual level, and industrial production showed an increase for the first time in the past four months according to the report of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, published on Friday.

In August, retail sales increased by 2.7 percent of the past eight months, on annual basis, following the 1.5 percent increase of the previous month. Analysts expected an annual growth of 2.1 percent for August. (MTI)