Japan’s economy expanded at a faster pace than expected as a further easing of pandemic regulations boosted consumption, a positive outcome that will likely keep speculation simmering of a possible early election and potential central bank policy change. Gross domestic product expanded at an annualized pace of 1.6% in the first three months of the year, exceeding analyst expectations, Cabinet Office data showed Wednesday. A revision of earlier figures also showed Japan went through a technical recession at the end of last year. Better-than-expected spending by consumers and businesses was the main driver behind last ... (full story)