Japan's gross domestic product expanded 1.0 percent in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the previous three months, the Cabinet Office said on Thursday in a preliminary report - beating forecasts for a 0.9 percent gain following the upwardly revised flat reading in the fourth quarter of 2012.

On a yearly basis, GDP was up 4.1 percent - also topping forecasts for a 3.5 percent increase following the upwardly revised 0.1 percent gain in Q4. GDP has risen annually now in three straight quarters.

Nominal GDP was up 1.0 percent on quarter, matching forecasts following the upwardly revised 0.3 percent decline in the previous three months.

The deflator contracted 1.2 percent on year, beating forecasts for a fall of 1.5 percent following the upwardly revised 1.9 percent decline in Q4. The deflator also rose 0.02 percent on quarter, rising for the first time in 13 quarters.

Among the individual components, personal consumption contributed 0.7 percentage points to GDP after adding just 0.4 points in the prior three months.

Capital investment jumped a quarterly 5.4 percent, rising for the first time in three quarters and adding 0.3 percentage points.

Private sector inventories contributed 0.4 percentage points, while net exports added 0.1 percentage points.

Limiting the upside, capex was down a quarterly 3.9 percent and 14.8 percent on year, cutting GDP by 0.5 percentage points. In addition, housing investment was down 1.6 percent on quarter and 6.1 percent on year.

RTTNews