The economy grew an annualized rate of 2.4 percent in the first three months of 2015, the government said Wednesday, indicating it is on track for a moderate recovery after the jolt delivered by last year's consumption tax hike.
The stronger-than-expected figure pushed the Nikkei 225 stock average to a fresh 15-year high on Wednesday, closing up 170.18 points, or 0.85 percent, from Tuesday at 20,196.56, the highest close since April 2000.
Between January and March gross domestic product grew 0.6 percent on the previous quarter, the second straight quarter of growth and stronger than the market forecast, according to a preliminary report by the Cabinet Office.