Dhaka, May 1 -- Japan's factory output grew more than expected in March, government data showed on Tuesday, thanks largely to automakers resuming production after safety scandals.

Industrial production rose 3.8 per cent in March from the previous month, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) showed, better than the median market forecast for a 3.5 per cent rise.

"Coupled with solid output forecasts for April and May, the strong rebound in industrial production in March suggests that the likely slump in GDP in Q1 should be followed by a strong rebound this quarter," said Gabriel Ng, assistant economist at Capital Economics.

Motor vehicle production rose 9.6 per cent in March from the previous month. Output in regular passeng...