Japan's gross domestic product grew 2.2 percent on year in the fourth quarter of 2014, the Cabinet Office said in Monday's preliminary reading.
The headline figure was well shy of forecasts for an increase of 3.7 percent following the revised 2.3 percent decline in the third quarter (originally -1.9 percent).
It did, however, mark an end to the recession that started with a 7.1 percent tumble in Q2 - which was due in large part to a sharp decline in consumer spending following the implementation of a consumption tax hike in April.
On an annualized quarterly basis, GDP added 0.6 percent - also shy of expectations for an increase of 0.9 percent following the downwardly revised 0.6 percent contraction in Q3 (originally -0.5 percent).
Nominal GDP gained 1.1 percent on quarter, also missing forecasts for 1.2 percent following the 0.9 percent decline in the third quarter.
The GDP deflator was up 2.3 percent on year, exceeding expectations for an increase of 1.9 percent following the 2.0 percent gain in Q3.
Business spending added just 0.1 percent on quarter versus forecasts for a gain of 1.0 percent following the 0.1 percent decline in the three months prior.
Private consumption gained 0.3 percent on quarter, also below expectations for an increase of 0.8 percent following the 0.1 percent decline in the third quarter.
Net exports contributed 0.2 percentage points to GDP growth.
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