Japan has climbed out of recession after the economy returned to growth in the second quarter, raising hopes that the worst of the financial crisis is over in the world's second-largest economy.
Data released on Monday showed that gross domestic product expanded 0.9 per cent quarter-on-quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, following four quarters of contraction. On an annualised basis, the economy grew 3.7 per cent.
Thanks to the government's stimulus programme that amounts to about 4 per cent of GDP, public investment expanded 8.1 per cent in the quarter. Exports were also robust, growing 6.3 per cent in the period. Private consumption grew 0.8 per cent.