Japan's gross domestic product was up 0.9 percent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the previous three months, the Cabinet Office said in Thursday's preliminary report.
That beat forecasts for an increase of 0.7 percent following the flat reading in the previous three months.
On a yearly basis, GDP jumped 3.5 percent - also topping expectations for a gain of 2.7 percent following the 0.2 percent increase in Q4.
Nominal GDP was up 0.4 percent on quarter, just shy of forecasts for 0.5 percent after dipping 0.3 percent in the previous quarter.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com