TOKYO — Japan’s economy grew at an annual pace of 2.1% in the first quarter, marking the second straight quarter of expansion, according to government data released Monday. Healthy public investment and private residential investment helped boost growth during the quarter, according to the data, which is likely to be revised. Japan’s economy has recorded moderate growth under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s “Abenomics” anti-deflation programs but contracted in some recent periods because of natural disasters and other factors. Worries have been growing that the momentum for Japan’s economic growth may be slowing. Japan is set to implement a sales tax increase from 8% to 10 % later this year.

Source: National Post May 20, 2019 00:45 UTC