Japan's brief economic recovery appears to have stalled after industrial production fell for the first time in three months and unemployment stayed near record levels.

Overall, production was on a gradual increasing trend but some downward movements were seen

Japanese government

Industrial output in September fell 0.3% from the previous month, according to preliminary government figures.

Japan's jobless rate in September remained at 5.4%, near the post-war high of 5.6% in December.

Foreign demand for Japanese goods, which made up half its 0.6% economic growth in the three months to the end June, has faltered.

The main reason is that Japan's biggest export market, the US, has been struggling with its own economic problems.

Growth threatened

Most economists expect Japan to register barely any growth in the July-September quarter.

On a quarterly basis, industrial production slowed to 2.1% from 3.8% in the quarter to June.

Despite falling output, the government has continued to claim that production is rising, but it admitted there were signs of downturn.

"Overall, production was on a gradual increasing trend but some downward movements were seen," it said in a statement.

"We must continue to monitor the situation closely given the uncertain outlook for final demand."