Private-sector analysts in Japan predict the country's GDP growth for this year's January to March period will be flat or lower than the previous quarter.

The Cabinet Office is scheduled to release the figure later this month.

The forecasts of 10 research companies range from minus 0.6 percent to plus 0.5 percent in real terms.

All of them say personal consumption, which makes up more than half of Japan's GDP, was flat or decreased. They say consumption slowed because heavy snow in January and February caused vegetable prices to rise and people to stay at home.

The analysts also expect a decline in housing investment, citing a slowdown in housing starts for rental apartments.

They also predict growth in capital investment and exports will have slowed.

However, the research companies say the factors contributing to slow GDP growth are temporary, and that the overall recovery trend is unchanged.