In this May 1, 2019 file photo, the prime minister's official residence, left, is seen next to the prime minister's office in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. (Mainichi/Masahiro Kawata)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's economy in the April-June period grew a real 0.3 percent from the previous quarter, or an annualized 1.3 percent, as robust exports were overshadowed by sluggish consumption under a state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Monday.

       It was the country's first increase in real gross domestic product, the total value of goods and services produced in the country adjusted for inflation, in two quarters, according to the preliminary data released by the Cabinet Office.

       Although the growth figure was better than the average projection of 0.7 percent annualized growth by private-sector economists, the GDP rise was too slow to make up for the January-March quarter's 3.7 percent contraction.

       With Japan lagging behind other major economies in its vaccine rollout, the latest data highlighted the lack of momentum in the country's economic recovery after its worst slump on record last year caused by the pandemic.

       In the same three-month period, the U.S economy grew an annualized 6.5 percent and the euro area logged an 8.3 percent expansion.

       Amid a resurgence of virus infections, the government declared its third virus emergency in late April for Tokyo and three western Japan prefectures, and later expanded it to 10 out of the country's 47 prefectures. It was lifted in late June, except for the southern island prefecture of Okinawa.

       Consumer spending rose 0.8 percent from the previous quarter, the first increase in two quarters. In the January-March period, spending fell 1.0 percent as parts of the country were under the second virus emergency.

       Exports rose 2.9 percent, up for the fourth consecutive quarter.

       The third virus emergency weighed heavily on private consumption, with eateries serving alcohol asked to suspend their operations and dining establishments not serving liquor to close early. People were requested to stay home.

       Affected by a global semiconductor shortage, car-related exports were not in full swing, but demand for chip-making equipment and other industrial machinery was solid on the back of strong recovery of the global economy, a government official told reporters.

       Meanwhile, imports grew 5.1 percent, partly due to the government's procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.

       Business investment, another key pillar of domestic demand, grew 1.7 percent.

       In nominal terms, or unadjusted for price changes, the economy grew 0.1 percent, or an annualized 0.2 percent, in the reporting quarter.

       Revised GDP data is scheduled to be released on Sept. 8.

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