The Japanese economy grew at an annual rate of 1.0 per cent in the October-December period, little changed from a growth rate of 1.1 per cent in the prior quarter, dpa quoted the government as reporting Monday. The reading on GDP was far below growth of 2.6 per cent predicted by a poll of economists by the Kyodo News Agency. Consumer spending - which accounts for about 60 per cent of gross domestic product - edged up 0.5 per cent quarter-on-quarter. Corporate investment rose 1.3 per cent in the period, compared with a 0.2-per-cent rise in the previous quarter, the Cabinet Office said.
