Japanese carmakers' overseas output topped their domestic production for the first time in fiscal 2005, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.

In fiscal 2005 ending March, Japanese automakers' output abroad increased in all regions excluding the Middle East, with 10,929, 918 vehicles being produced, marking a year to year rise of 10.6 percent, the Asahi Daily reported on Tuesday.

Production climbed 15.2 percent to 4,174,624 vehicles in Asia, 9.5 percent to 1,603,506 in Europe, 5.0 percent to 4,092,193 in North America, 18.6 percent to 676,146 in Central and South America, and 20.8 percent to 237,949 vehicles in Africa, the carmakers' body said in a report released on Monday.

The report also mentioned that in the first half of 2006, Japanese carmakers' exports rose 16.2 percent to reach 2,855,284 vehicles, an increase for the fifth consecutive year.

Japanese carmakers have been trying to expand overseas market, especially in China and Russia, because of dwindling population and decreasing demand at home.

Source: Xinhua