Japan still ahead of China after growth boost
JAPAN has reported a fourth-quarter beating forecasts – maintaining its position as the world’s second largest economy.
Real gross domestic product grew at an annual pace of 4.6 per cent from October to December, according to official government figures.
The boost means that the country is still slightly ahead of China, with the US still the biggest global economy.
Japan’s nominal GDP for the 2009 calendar year came to about 5.1 trillion US dollars (£3.25 trillion) ahead of China’ss domestic output of 4.9 trillion US dollars (£3.1 trillion).
Finance Minister Naoto Kan said: “There is some brightness breaking through the clouds.”