Japan's economy grew by a real 1.3 percent in the January-March period from the previous quarter, its strongest expansion in a year as firm personal consumption and capital spending more than offset shrinking exports, the government said in Tokyo Tuesday.

The gross domestic product growth translates into an annualized 5.3 percent expansion, the Cabinet Office said in a preliminary report, bolstering the view that Japan's economy remains on a recovery track.

On a nominal basis, GDP for the January-March quarter rose 0.6 percent from the previous quarter, or an annualized 2.3 percent, for the second straight quarter of growth, the report said.

Japan's GDP for fiscal 2004, which ended March 31, grew by a real 1.9 percent for the third straight yearly expansion and a nominal 0.7 percent for the second successive yearly rise.

GDP is the total value of goods and services produced domestically. Real GDP data are adjusted for price and seasonal variations.

Source: Xinhua