Japan's industrial production grew more than initially estimated in December, latest figures from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed Thursday, cited by rttnews.

Industrial production advanced a seasonally adjusted 2.9 percent month-over-month in December, faster than the 2.7 percent rise reported earlier.

In November, production had grown at a stable rate of 0.5 percent.

Shipments also increased 2.9 percent over the month, revised up from a 2.7 percent gain estimated initially.

At the same time, inventories dropped 0.3 percent, just below the 0.4 percent fall seen in the flash data.

On a yearly basis, industrial production growth eased to 2.1 percent in December from 3.0 percent in November.