Japan's GDP rose surprisingly in 2Q

TOKYO, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Strong capital spending lifted Japan's gross domestic product in the second quarter by 0.8 percent.

That rise, the third consecutive quarterly increase in Japan's economy, translates into a 3.3-percent annual growth rate, the Japan Times reported Tuesday.

The second-quarter numbers surprised economists who had expected a weaker growth figure.

The revised data follow a government announcement last month that the economy has emerged from a soft patch stemming from inventory adjustments in the information technology sector.

"With firm growth in personal spending and investment, we hold to our view that the Japanese economy is spearheaded by domestic demand," an official said.