Japan's annualized economic growth in the July-September quarter was 3.9%, beating estimates, and 0.9% quarter-on-quarter, government data showed on Nov. 15.
The annualized figure surpassed market expectations of 2.5% growth for the quarter.
The fourth straight quarter of expansion was driven by a consumer rush to make the most of government subsidies for car buyers before they ran out and before a new tobacco tax was levied, pushing cigarette sales higher.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2010