Japanese Economy Grew Slower Than Expected in Second Quarter

Grew 0.6 percent

Japan's economy expanded at a slower pace than most analysts expected in the second quarter.

Gross domestic product grew 0.6% in the April to June period, indicating an annualised increase of 2.6%, according the latest government figures.

That is down from the 4.1% annual rate in the first three months of the year. Analysts were expecting growth of 3.6%.

Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has been trying to revive the economy after years of stagnation.