"Japan's economy bounced back in the first quarter....The world's third-largest economy grew 1.0 percent in the January-March quarter... translated into an annualized rate of growth of 4.1 percent....That pace exceeds annualized growth of 2.2 percent in the United States in the same quarter, and outperformed European heavyweights Germany, Britain, France and Italy."
Source: Japanese consumers lead economic rebound in first quarter
By Rie Ishiguro and Leika Kihara
Thu May 17, 2012
Reuters