TOKYO, May 30 Reuters Japan39;s economy will grow at a weaker rate than previously thought this quarter despite hopes for a strong rebound in consumption after showing resilience in the three months through March, a Reuters poll of economists showed.

The world39;s thirdlargest economy is at risk of being hobbled by slowing economic growth in China and a surge in global raw material prices both issues that could hurt Japan39;s key manufacturing sector, the poll showed.

However, the slower expansion still indicates growth will be strong enough for the economy to recover to its precoronavirus pandemic levels of end2019 this quarter, about 70 of poll respondents said.

The economy was projected to expand an annualised 4.5 this quarter, below April39;s estimate for 5.1 growth, according to the median forecast of 36 analysts in the May 1827 poll.

The speed at which the economy is recovering at home is slow, said Takumi Tsunoda, senior economist at Shinkin Central Bank Research Institute.

Corporate profit could be severely squeezed if raw material prices continue to rise as there39;s limited passthrough of those costs into final prices.

A slowdown in Chinese economic growth was the mostfrequently cited issue posing a risk to Japan39;s economy in the latter half of the year, the poll showed.

In recent weeks, China paralysed economic activity in major cities such as Shanghai with extreme COVID19 lockdowns, disrupting supply chains and clouding the country39;s economic…