Newly released GDP figures show Japan's economy expanded for the first time in two quarters in the three months through June.

The Cabinet Office said on Thursday that preliminary data shows gross domestic product grew by an annualized 3.1 percent in real terms in the April-to-June period from the previous quarter.

Private consumption rose 1.0 percent, the first increase in five quarters. That was due to a recovery in car sales, among other things, after the ending of a suspension of production by some automakers over irregularities in government certification procedures.

Capital investment increased by 0.9 percent, and housing investment was up by 1.6 percent.

Exports grew by 1.4 percent.