People take an escalator at a shopping mall in Tokyo, Japan, May 18, 2026. Japan's economy expanded at an annualized real 2.1 percent in the first quarter of 2026, government data showed Tuesday. Quarter-on-quarter, real gross domestic product in the January-March period increased 0.5 percent from the previous three months, the Cabinet Office said in its preliminary report. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

TOKYO, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Japan's economy expanded at an annualized real 2.1 percent in the first quarter of 2026, government data showed Tuesday.

Quarter-on-quarter, real gross domestic product in the January-March period increased 0.5 percent from the previous three months, the Cabinet Office said in its preliminary report.

People rest on benches in Tokyo, Japan, May 18, 2026. Japan's economy expanded at an annualized real 2.1 percent in the first quarter of 2026, government data showed Tuesday.

Quarter-on-quarter, real gross domestic product in the January-March period increased 0.5 percent from the previous three months, the Cabinet Office said in its preliminary report. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

People walk on the street in Tokyo, Japan, May 18, 2026. Japan's economy expanded at an annualized real 2.1 percent in the first quarter of 2026, government data showed Tuesday.

Quarter-on-quarter, real gross domestic product in the January-March period increased 0.5 percent from the previous three months, the Cabinet Office said in its preliminary report. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

A man walks on the street in Tokyo, Japan, May 18, 2026. Japan's economy expanded at an annualized real 2.1 percent in the first quarter of 2026, government data showed Tuesday.

Quarter-on-quarter, real gross domestic product in the January-March period increased 0.5 percent from the previous three months, the Cabinet Office said in its preliminary report. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)