TOKYO, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Japan's industrial output fell in May from a month earlier, marking the first decline in four months, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a report Friday.

According to the ministry, industrial output in May declined 0.2 percent from the previous month, with the seasonally adjusted index of output at factories and mines standing at 104.4 against the base of 100 for 2010.

The figure for May follows a 0.5 percent increase logged in May.

In its preliminary report, the ministry maintained its basic assessment that industrial production in Japan is "picking up slowly."

The ministry's data set also showed the index of industrial shipments dropped 1.6 percent to 101.4, while inventories were up 0.6 percent to 113.5 in the recording period.

The ministry's survey revealed that looking ahead, manufacturers polled expect industrial output here to rise 0.4 percent in June and 0.8 percent in July.