Japan's GDP shrinks 1.1% in 4th quarter 2010
TOKYO, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Japan's economy shrank(缩小) an annualized real 1.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010, marking the first contraction 1 in five quarters, the Cabinet Office said Monday.
The October-December period figure, measured by gross domestic product（国内生产总值）, means a 0.3 percent fall from the previous three-month period.
The figures beat forecasts of an annualized 2.2 percent contraction and 0.6 percent quarterly decline in a Kyodo News survey. Analysts 2 said the downturn was a natural result of the slowdown in exports and weaker domestic consumer demand.
Japan's real GDP grew 3.9 percent in 2010, according to government statistics. A nominal 3 GDP of 5.474 trillion U.S. dollars only secured a third spot for Japan in the world, behind the United States and China.
Japan's Economics Minister Kaoru Yosano said he welcomed China' s advancement 4 as the world's second-biggest economy.
Despite its quarterly GDP contraction, analysts believed signs of recovery are seen in Japan's economy. Its exports accelerated for a second month in a row in Dec. and picked up briskly in 2010 from a year earlier, thanks largely to the robust 5 demand from China and other Asian economies.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)
- The contraction of this muscle raises the lower arm.肌肉的收缩使前臂抬起。
- The forces of expansion are balanced by forces of contraction.扩张力和收缩力相互平衡。
- City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
- I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。
- The king was only the nominal head of the state. 国王只是这个国家名义上的元首。
- The charge of the box lunch was nominal.午餐盒饭收费很少。
- His new contribution to the advancement of physiology was well appreciated.他对生理学发展的新贡献获得高度赞赏。
- The aim of a university should be the advancement of learning.大学的目标应是促进学术。