KONTAN.CO.ID - TOKYO. Japan's economy expanded an annualised 1.6% in the January-March period to mark the first increase in three quarters, data showed on Wednesday, as a post-COVID rebound in consumption offset global headwinds. But mounting signs of a slowdown in U.S., European and Chinese growth clouded the outlook for the export-reliant economy, heightening uncertainty on how soon the central bank can phase out its massive stimulus programme. The increase in gross domestic product (GDP) was much bigger than a median market forecast for a 0.7% gain, and followed a revised 0.1% fall in the final quarter of last year, government data showed.
Japan Economy Expands More Than Expected on Post-COVID Spending
KONTAN.CO.ID - TOKYO. Japan's economy expanded an annualised 1.6% in the January-March period to mark the first increase in three quarters, data showed on Wednesday, as a post-COVID rebound in consumption offset global headwinds. But mounting signs of a slowdown in U.S., European and Chinese growth clouded the outlook for the export-reliant economy, heightening uncertainty on how soon the central bank can phase out its massive stimulus programme. The increase in gross domestic product (GDP) was much bigger than a median market forecast for a 0.7% gain, and followed a revised 0.1% fall in the final quarter of last year, government data showed.