Japan: Economy Expands at Annualized 2.1% in Q1.

Japan’s economy expanded at an annualized rate of 2.1% in Q1 2026, accelerating from a downwardly revised 0.8% growth in Q4 and surpassing market expectations of 1.7%, preliminary data showed. It marked the fastest pace of expansion in six quarters, driven by stronger private consumption and a solid contribution from net exports.