Japan Rebounds With Faster-than-Expected Economic Growth in Second Quarter

Source: Japan Cabinet Office

Japan’s economy expanded better than expected in the second quarter, marking a rebound as the country recovered from the initial hit of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.3% quarter-on-quarter, surpassing the market consensus of 0.2%.
• The latest reading compares with the -0.9% reading in the first quarter and -7.9% in the second quarter of 2020.
• Year on year, the economy grew 1.3%, higher than the market’s expectation of 0.7% and better than the -0.9% in the first quarter.
• Growth was recorded in private consumption, capital expenditure, and government spending. All indicators were in negative territory in the first quarter.
• Exports climbed for the fourth consecutive quarter to hit 2.9%. This is higher than the 2.4% in the first quarter.
• Imports also grew for the third straight quarter, up by 5.1% versus 4% in the first three months.