Japan's gross domestic product grew in the July-September period for the first time in three quarters, marking annualized growth of 6 percent, the Cabinet Office said Monday.

Economists remain skeptical, however, that the recovery will keep up in the next few quarters, citing uncertainties both at home and in the global economy, particularly over the European debt crisis and the yen's surging strength.

The GDP rise last quarter was led by the automobile industry, which recovered from the March 11 disasters and boosted exports by 6.2 percent.