The Japanese economy contracted in the third quarter of 2021 by 3.6% on an annual basis and 0.9% on a quarterly basis, due to a decline in per capita consumption, which constitutes one of the basics of the equation for calculating the GDP of countries.
The Nikkei average rose 1.4 percent to 28,860.62 points, its highest closing level since November 25.
The broader Topix index advanced 0.6 percent to 2002.24 points.
Germany on Wednesday recorded the largest number of Covid-19 deaths since February, as it struggled to halt a fourth wave of the pandemic.
Data from the Robert Koch Institute for Infectious Diseases showed that 69,601 new infections were recorded, an increase of 2415 cases compared to the same period a week ago, and 527 deaths, the highest number since February 12, bringing the total deaths to 104047.