News Summary: Japan automakers' China output falls

By The Associated Press

PRODUCTION DECLINE: Chinese vehicle production from Toyota and other major Japanese automakers tumbled in October amid a territorial dispute between the two Asian powers.

THE NUMBERS: Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday that its Chinese output plunged 61 percent to 30,591 vehicles. Chinese output of Nissan Motor Co. sank 44 percent to 61,360 vehicles, while production from Honda Motor Co. declined 54 percent to 26,302 vehicles.

THE REASON: the Japanese government in September nationalized a cluster of tiny islands in the East China Sea that are controlled by Tokyo but also claimed by Beijing. The purchase set off violent demonstrations in China and a call to boycott Japanese goods.