Japan revised economic data higher, reversing a quarterly contraction into positive growth and thereby avoiding a technical recession. Gross domestic product expanded at an annualised pace of 0.4% in the final three months of 2023, reversing a 0.4% retreat initially reported. An upward revision to capital investment figures to reflect 2% growth was a key driver. The Bank of Japan expects the economy to continue recovering moderately with companies willing to invest.
Economists predict the central bank to end its negative interest rate policy in March or April