The start of 2012 saw a return to growth of Japanese manufacturing production, although the rate of expansion was modest according to the latest PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index) data . New order intakes increased marginally, while staff numbers were unchanged compared to one month earlier. On the price front, input price inflation eased to a moderate rate, and factory gate charges fell for a sixth month in succession. Meanwhile official data published today showed that Japan’s factory output jumped 4% in December, as the sector recovered from flood disruption of supply chains in Thailand, trade ministry figures showed in Tokyo today. Industrial output for October-to-December fell 0.4%.