Japan's industrial output in May rose 5.9 percent from the previous month for the third straight month of gain, but the rise is lower than expected, the government data showed Monday.

The market's average forecast for the seasonally adjusted May output growth stood about 6.7 to 6.9 percent.

The index of output at mines and factories stood at 79.2 against the base of 100 for 2005, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report.

The index of industrial shipments gained 4.5 percent to 78.7 and that of industrial inventories was down 0.6 percent to 96.5.