In the second quarter of 2018, Japan's economy expanded dramatically compared with the first quarter, the cabinet's data showed.

Japan's gross domestic product increased by 0.7%, as expected, after a decline of -0.2% in the first quarter.

In annual terms, GDP grew by 3.0% after a decline of -0.9% in the first quarter. Economists predicted a less significant increase in the indicator by 2.6%.

The GDP deflator grew by 0.1% compared to the previous year, which was in line with the forecasts and coincided with the previous value.

Nominal GDP grew by 0.7% for the quarter, up from 0.4% recorded in the first quarter, and exceeded growth forecasts (+ 0.6%).

Private consumption increased by 0.7%, which is in line with forecasts and the previous value, while business expenses increased by 3.1% after growth of 1.3% in the first quarter.

Also today, the Bank of Japan announced that the total bank lending in Japan in August rose by 2.2% year on year to Y526.912 trillion. This follows an increase of 2.0% in July.

Excluding trusts, lending also increased by 2.2% year-on-year, to Y458.295 trillion, after rising 2.0% in the previous month.

Lending from trusts increased by 2.2% year-on-year, to Y68.617 trillion, while lending to foreign banks increased by 25.2%, to Y2.533 trillion.