Tokyo  - Japan's economy grew an annualized 3.3 per cent in real terms in the January-March quarter, the government said Friday.

The nation's economy, which grew three quarters in a row, came out stronger than the average market expectation of a 2.6-per-cent growth.

The gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.8 per cent in the three months from the previous quarter, and it was better than a 0.6-per-cent market expectation.

In the year through March 31, Japan's economy grew a real 1.5 per cent.

Consumer spending, which accounts for half of Japan's GDP, grew a real 0.8 per cent in the January-March quarter from the previous period, while capital spending fell 0.9 per cent.

Exports were up 4.5 per cent and imports gained 2 per cent. (dpa)