South Korea April industrial output weak, clouds economic outlook

(Reuters) - South Korea's industrial output rose at a much slower pace than expected in April, dampening the economic recovery, as temporary factors such as a sinking of a ferry last month had a chilling effect on consumer sentiment.

Japan retail sales fall after tax increase

Retail sales in Japan fell 4.4% in April, compared with the same period last year, as the effect of an increase in the country's sales tax began to be felt.

India central bank chief reiterates call for global monetary coordination

(Reuters) - India's central bank chief, Raghuram Rajan, reiterated on Wednesday what he said is the need for global central banks to be mindful of the impact of their unconventional monetary policy measures on other economies.

South Korea May consumer sentiment slips to eight-month low

(Reuters) - South Korea's composite consumer sentiment index in May slipped to its lowest in eight months, dampening hopes for a firm recovery in domestic consumption in Asia's fourth-largest economy, central bank data showed on Tuesday.

Japan’s Risk of Inflation With Low Growth Raises Stakes for Abe

Japan’s risk of spurring inflation without boosting the nation’s growth potential is raising the stakes for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s next round of economic restructuring measures, due in June.

Philippines bubble risks under control: Finance Secretary

Record low interest rates in the Philippines have raised concerns over potential asset bubbles in Southeast Asia's fastest growing economy, however the country's finance secretary said these risks are under control.

Japan government ups capex view, economy recovering

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's government raised its view on capital spending for the first time in four months in May on the back of firms' positive earnings, showing the economy remains resilient despite some negative impact from a sales tax hike last month.

U.S. wins car import duties trade case against China

(Reuters) - The United States has won a trade dispute with China over duties slapped on U.S. exports of large cars and sport utility vehicles, the World Trade Organization said on Friday.

Vietnam Offers Help To Companies Hit By Riots

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) -- Vietnam on Thursday pledged to help companies whose factories were targeted during anti-Chinese riots last week, offering tax breaks and other incentives to try and undo some of the damage to its reputation as a low-risk country for foreign manufacturers.

Can Modi get India's economy back on track?

Narendra Modi is being swept into office as India's prime minister on a wave of optimism about his ability to restore the fortunes of Asia's third biggest economy.

Kazakhstan’s $2.7 Billion Offer Lures International Lenders

Kazakhstan is providing 500 billion tenge ($2.7 billion) tapped from its oil fund to attract co-financing from international lenders for an economic overhaul.

Russia Seeks China Gas Deal at Shanghai Meeting

OAO Gazprom, the world’s largest natural gas producer, rose in Moscow as it continued talks in China on a $400 billion gas supply deal.

China says faster economic reforms needed

(Reuters) - China will try to quicken the pace of economic reform this year as part of the government's efforts to arrest a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy, the country's top economic planning agency said late on Saturday.

Asia stocks sunk by mixed reports on world economy

HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks sank Friday as markets took a cue from Wall Street, which had a big sell-off after a batch of mixed reports on the global economy.

Malaysia’s Economy Grew Faster Than Estimated Last Quarter

Malaysia’s economy grew at the fastest pace in five quarters amid an export recovery, increasing scope for the central bank to raise interest rates and contain threats to financial stability.

Japan posts strong growth ahead of sales tax rise

Japan's economy grew at the fastest pace in nearly three years in the first quarter due to increased spending ahead of a sales tax increase on 1 April.

China growth target vulnerable as economy's momentum fades

(Reuters) - China might miss its economic growth target for the first time in 15 years as data points to a sharper-than-expected loss of momentum and top leaders are talking about a "new normal" of slower growth.

India's new government must wrestle with weak output, inflation

(Reuters) - India's ailing economy showed little sign of improvement on Monday, trapped in a spell of weak growth and high inflation when the country is on the cusp of political change that is widely expected to script an economic revival.

China to build new East Africa railway line

Formal agreements for plans to build a new railway line in East Africa with Chinese help have been signed in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

Xi Says China Must Adapt to ‘New Normal’ of Slower Growth

Chinese President Xi Jinping said the nation needs to adapt to a ``new normal'' in the pace of economic growth and remain “cool-minded” amid a slowdown in expansion.

Thai Protesters Target TV Networks in Bid to Topple Government

Thai anti-government demonstrators marched to Government House and the offices of the nation’s biggest television networks to increase pressure on the caretaker government to step down.

China-Hong Kong Data Mismatch Narrows: Chart of the Day

The mismatch between bilateral trade data reported by Hong Kong (HKETBOT) and China has narrowed in the last year, signaling that efforts to stop fake invoices worked and China’s April exports may have risen more than figures showed.

China to close more steel capacity, though still small fraction

(Reuters) - China has raised its target to close outdated steel smelting capacity to 28.7 million tons in 2014, the industry ministry said on Thursday, as it tries to rein in inefficient and polluting industries.

Japan's Amari - BOJ is playing key role in economy recovery

LONDON (Reuters) - Japan's Economy Minister Akira Amari said on Wednesday the Bank of Japan plays a key role in supporting the country's recovery by trying to achieve its 2 percent inflation target.

Indonesia first-quarter growth slowest in 4 years as political risks loom

(Reuters) - Indonesia's economy grew at its slowest in more than four years in the first quarter as a mineral export ban, successive interest rate rises and uncertainty over upcoming presidential elections unnerved investors.

India silk weavers hang on by thread, plead for rescue

Varanasi (India) (AFP) - Its saris have been a byword for sartorial elegance for centuries and even the Buddha was laid to rest veiled in a brocade of silk hand-woven in India's holiest city Varanasi, according to local legend.

China's April services growth quickens slightly: government survey

(Reuters) - Growth in China's services sector accelerated slightly in April as new orders held steady, an official survey showed, an encouraging sign of strength in an economy that otherwise faces a cloudy outlook.

Australia to raise retirement age to 70 by 2035, Treasurer says

(Reuters) - Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey said on Friday that his government would seek to raise the retirement age to 70 by the year 2035 as part of reforms aimed at stemming what they warn is a looming "fiscal crisis."

Asia Subdued Ahead Of US Jobs Data, Japan Holiday

TOKYO (AP) — Global markets were mixed Friday ahead of a release of key U.S. jobs data, with the benchmark for the Tokyo Stock Exchange closing little changed.

BOJ Inflation Confidence Seen Cutting Chance of Stimulus

The confidence Bank of Japan officials are demonstrating in achieving their inflation target is lowering the chances of additional monetary easing this year even as the economy weakens.

With no real government, can Thailand escape recession?

(Reuters) - Some bold assumptions about a rapid end to a six-month political crisis are all that stand between Thailand and its first real recession since the global financial crisis.