Japan 's GDP grew 4 percent last quarter , the fastest growth on record . Sony Corp. announced net losses of $ 1 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31 , finishing a year in the red for the first time in 14 years . First quarter GDP was 15.4 percent lower than the same time period last year . This was the fourth straight quarter the Japanese economy contracted .
Japan 's GDP grew 4 percent last quarter , the fastest growth on record . First quarter GDP was 15.4 percent lower than the same time period last year . This was the fourth straight quarter the Japanese economy contracted .