Japan's economy expanded a real 1.7 percent in the October-December period, the best showing in 13 1/2 years, backed by strong corporate capital investment, exports and consumer spending, the Cabinet Office said Wednesday.
The real growth in gross domestic product, the value of goods and services produced domestically, would translate into a 7 percent annual expansion. It was the fourth straight quarterly increase and the highest showing since the 2.5 percent expansion registered in the April-June quarter in 1990.
The nominal growth rate for the latest quarter, unadjusted for price changes, was 0.7 percent for the third straight quarterly growth.