TOKYO — The Japanese economy grew at the tepid rate of 1 percent in the final quarter of 2013, data showed Monday, falling short of analysts’ expectations and heightening concerns that the country’s recovery might not be strong enough to weather an impending sales tax increase, a worsening trade balance and other problems expected this year.

Forty-one economists polled by the Japan Center for Economic Research had predicted an annualized growth rate of 3 percent for the quarter. But an unsteady recovery in exports and a surge in imports helped blunt the rate of growth, according to preliminary figures released on Monday by the Cabinet Office.

On a quarterly basis, Japan’s economy expanded 0.3 percent from October to December, for the fourth-consecutive quarter of growth. Economic growth for the year came to an estimated 1.6 percent, separate data showed.

Private consumption rose 0.5 percent from the previous quarter, though economists attributed much of that to spending ahead of a sales tax increase set to take effect in April and warned that growth could slow later this year. Exports grew 0.5 percent, a gain that was offset by a 3.4 percent jump in imports.