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Q3 GDP -2.1% annualised, -0.5% qtr/qtr
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Consumption -0.0% qtr/qtr, capex -0.6%, exports +0.5%
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Japan lacks growth driver as global headwinds intensify
(Recasts with analyst quotes, details)
By Tetsushi Kajimoto and Leika Kihara
TOKYO, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Japan's economy contracted in July-September, snapping two straight quarters of expansion on soft consumption and exports, complicating the central bank's efforts to gradually phase out its massive monetary stimulus amid rising inflation.
The data suggests stubbornly high inflation is taking a toll on household spending, and adding to the pain for manufacturers from slowing global demand including in China.
"Given the absence of a growth engine, it wouldn't surprise me if the Japanese economy contracted again in the current quarter. The risk of Japan falling into recession cannot be ruled out," said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute.
"The weak growth and the spectre of slowing inflation could delay the BOJ's exit from negative interest rates," he said.
Gross domestic product (GDP) in the world's third-largest economy contracted 2.1% in the third quarter, government data showed on Wednesday, a much larger decline that a median market forecast for an annualised 0.6% fall. It followed an expansion of 4.5% in the previous quarter.
The weak reading reflects lacklustre consumption and capital expenditure, dashing policymakers' hopes for a post-pandemic rebound in domestic activity to offset weaker external demand from China and elsewhere.
Consumption was flat in July-September after sliding 0.9% in the previous quarter, falling short of economists' median estimate for 0.2% growth.
Capital expenditure fell 0.6% in the third quarter after declining 1.0% in April-June, confounding market forecasts for a 0.3% gain and casting doubt on the BOJ's view that robust corporate investment will underpin growth.
External demand shaved 0.1 of a percentage point off GDP in July-September, in line with expectations, as an increase in service imports offset rises in auto exports.
"The disappointing third-quarter reading serves as a sobering reminder that the country is not yet out of the woods," said Stefan Angrick, senior economist at Moody's Analytics.
He said better net exports, underpinned by car shipments and tourism, helped lift growth in the second quarter, belying the weakness in domestic demand.
"Now that the export recovery has run its course, that weakness is coming back to the fore," Angrick said.