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Japan's economy leaves recession | Japan's economy leaves recession |
(30 minutes later) | |
Japan has come out of recession after recording growth of 0.9% in the April-June quarter, compared with the first. | |
The economy - the world's second-largest - had shown four consecutive quarter-on-quarter contractions. | The economy - the world's second-largest - had shown four consecutive quarter-on-quarter contractions. |
Correspondents say the rise is due to a huge stimulus package and it is unclear whether the momentum will be sustained. | Correspondents say the rise is due to a huge stimulus package and it is unclear whether the momentum will be sustained. |
Recent figures have shown other nations coming out of recession, including Germany, France and Hong Kong, a sign the global slowdown is easing. | Recent figures have shown other nations coming out of recession, including Germany, France and Hong Kong, a sign the global slowdown is easing. |
However, the Nikkei Stock Average has been unimpressed by the latest figures - in early morning trading in Tokyo the index was down more than 2%. | However, the Nikkei Stock Average has been unimpressed by the latest figures - in early morning trading in Tokyo the index was down more than 2%. |
'Positive contribution' | 'Positive contribution' |
If Japan's latest quarterly rate were maintained for a full year, the economy would grow 3.7%, figures from the Cabinet Office revealed on Monday. | If Japan's latest quarterly rate were maintained for a full year, the economy would grow 3.7%, figures from the Cabinet Office revealed on Monday. |
Japan's central bank has been cautious in its outlook | Japan's central bank has been cautious in its outlook |
Japan officially fell into recession last year and there was a dramatic fall in growth in January-March as the world economic slowdown hit Japanese exports hard. | Japan officially fell into recession last year and there was a dramatic fall in growth in January-March as the world economic slowdown hit Japanese exports hard. |
Massive government stimulus measures helped to boost the economy, including cash handouts and subsidies to buy energy efficient cars and home appliances, the BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says. | Massive government stimulus measures helped to boost the economy, including cash handouts and subsidies to buy energy efficient cars and home appliances, the BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says. |
Manufacturers also benefited from recovering demand in China and other markets. | Manufacturers also benefited from recovering demand in China and other markets. |
But Japan could still face a long road to sustainable recovery, our correspondent says. | But Japan could still face a long road to sustainable recovery, our correspondent says. |
Junko Nishioka, chief economist at RBS securities, told Reuters the latest figure was "very good". | Junko Nishioka, chief economist at RBS securities, told Reuters the latest figure was "very good". |
"The positive contribution of public spending is likely to continue, so I don't think there will be a return to [contraction], as feared by some," the economist added. | "The positive contribution of public spending is likely to continue, so I don't think there will be a return to [contraction], as feared by some," the economist added. |
European recovery | European recovery |
Japan is heavily reliant on its exports. | Japan is heavily reliant on its exports. |
The slowdown in the US has hit it hard as American consumers have limited their spending. | The slowdown in the US has hit it hard as American consumers have limited their spending. |
In a recent Bank of Japan report, the central bank underlined its cautious view of the economy. | In a recent Bank of Japan report, the central bank underlined its cautious view of the economy. |
While it said conditions in the Japanese economy had stopped worsening, it warned that unemployment would stay high and consumer spending low. | While it said conditions in the Japanese economy had stopped worsening, it warned that unemployment would stay high and consumer spending low. |
Last month, the bank forecast that Japan's economy would shrink by 3.4% in the 12 months to 31 March 2010. | Last month, the bank forecast that Japan's economy would shrink by 3.4% in the 12 months to 31 March 2010. |
The French and German economies both grew by 0.3% between April and June, bringing to an end recessions in Europe's largest economies that have lasted a year. | The French and German economies both grew by 0.3% between April and June, bringing to an end recessions in Europe's largest economies that have lasted a year. |
Analysts had not expected the data, suggesting recovery could be faster than previously expected. | Analysts had not expected the data, suggesting recovery could be faster than previously expected. |
And Hong Kong recorded growth of 3.3% in the three months from April to June. | And Hong Kong recorded growth of 3.3% in the three months from April to June. |
That data was also better than had been expected, with the government subsequently increasing its forecast for growth in the whole year. | That data was also better than had been expected, with the government subsequently increasing its forecast for growth in the whole year. |