TOKYO, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Japan's industrial output rose 2.7 percent in December from the previous month, up for a third straight month, government data showed on Wednesday, in a sign of brisk factory activity.
The result compared with economists' median estimate of a 1.6 percent increase in a Reuters poll, and followed a 0.5 percent rise in November.
Manufacturers surveyed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expect output to fall 4.3 percent in January and increase 5.7 percent in February.
For background, please see this PREVIEW For the full tables on METI's website: (Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Chris Gallagher)
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