Upcoming GDP growth figures from Japan are expected to show the economy contracted last quarter. Combined with the recent strength of the Japanese yen, weak domestic activity will add to calls for policymakers to continue easing policy. Japan's economy likely experienced another contraction in the December quarter, with weak consumer spending and declining exports taking a big toll on growth, underscoring why leaders are determined to support the economy. Analysts expect that the world's third-largest economy shrank 0.2% in the October-December period, after expanding 0.3% in the September quarter. Consumer spending ... (full story)