Japan's industrial production rose 5.7 percent in May from the previous month in a sign of steady recovery from the March 11 quake and tsunami.

The figure announced Wednesday is higher than the expected 5.5-percent increase.

The production rose for a second consecutive month. In April it was up 1.6 percent.

The government issued a statement saying that industrial production is on a recovery path. The new assessment is more optimistic than the previous one a month ago, when the output was expected to recover slowly.

Shipments in May jumped 5.3 percent, rising for the first time in three months. Inventories rose 5.1 percent, in a second straight monthly increase.

The improvement adds to sign that Japan's economy is recovering after the twin disaster damaged factories and disrupted manufacturing supply chains.

Manufacturers forecast smaller gains in output in coming months as the production schedules may depend on possible electricity shortages in the next quarter.