Retail sales in Japan climbed 5.0 percent on year in April, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said on Thursday - coming in at 11.562 trillion yen.
That was shy of forecasts for an increase of 5.5 percent following the 9.7 percent contraction in March.
Sales from large retailers advanced an annual 8.6 percent to 1.608 trillion yen - also missing expectations for 9.1 percent after tumbling 13.1 percent in the previous month.
On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales added 0.4 percent - well shy of forecasts for 1.1 percent after shedding 1.8 percent a month earlier.
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