Japan's economy expanded 0.3 percent in real terms in the April-June period from the previous quarter for the third straight quarter of growth, on the back of firm capital investment and a pickup in exports, the government said Friday.

The growth in gross domestic product translates into an annualized expansion of 1.1 percent, the Cabinet Office said in a preliminary report.

On a nominal basis, GDP for the April-June period rose 0.01 percent from the previous quarter, or an annualized 0.03 percent, for the third straight quarter of growth, the Cabinet Offcie.

Personal spending, which accounts for about 55 percent of Japan 's GDP, increased a real 0.7 percent.

Corporate capital spending gained a real 2.2 percent and housing investment was down a real 2.3 percent. Public investment dropped a real 1.3 percent.

Exports, a main engine of the Japanese economy, grew a real 2.8 percent spurred by a pickup in shipments of automobiles, ships and general machinery, a turnaround from a 0.1 percent decline in the January-March period. Imports rose a real 1.6 percent.

Domestic demand pushed up GDP by 0.1 percent, while external demand raised GDP by 0.2 percent.

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

Source: Xinhua