Japan's gross domestic product expanded 0.6 percent on quarter in the first quarter of 2015, the Cabinet Office said in Wednesday's preliminary reading.
That topped expectations for an increase of 0.4 percent, which would have been unchanged from the rate of growth in the fourth quarter.
On an annualized yearly basis, GDP climbed 2.4 percent - also exceeding forecasts for an increase of 1.6 percent following the 1.5 percent gain in the three months prior.
The GDP deflator was up 3.4 percent, which was below forecasts for 3.6 percent - although still up from 2.4 percent in the previous three months.
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April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.