Japan’s economy expanded in the last quarter of 2024 at a slower pace than reported in preliminary data, a result that may give the Bank of Japan added incentive to hold policy settings steady when authorities gather next week. Gross domestic product grew at an annualized pace of 2.2% in the final three months of last year from the previous quarter, the Cabinet Office reported Tuesday. The result came in lower than the preliminary estimate of 2.8% as inventories sank more than forecast and consumption came in weaker. Economists had expected the revision to be largely unchanged. The yen briefly weakened to 147.10 ... (full story)