Industrial production in Japan was flat in November compared to a month earlier, bringing an end to a five-month streak of increases, the government said in a report on Monday.

According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the seasonally adjusted index of output at factories and mines stood at 95.2 against the base of 100 for 2015.

The latest preliminary reading comes on the heels of an upwardly revised 4.0 percent increase in October and brings to an end five straight months of increases.

The index of industrial shipments in November, meanwhile, dropped 0.9 percent to 94.0, while inventories slipped 1.1 percent to 94.6.

Looking ahead, manufacturers surveyed by the ministry said they expect factory output to fall 1.1 percent in December and rise by 7.1 percent in January. Enditem