Unexpected fall in Japanese industrial output

Japan's industrial output unexpectedly fell in February, due to lower overseas demand for cars and electronic goods, official figures have shown.

Trial begins for Vietnam ship scandal executives

Former top officials accused of bringing one of Vietnam's largest state-owned companies to the brink of bankruptcy have gone on trial for violating regulations.

Chinese companies asked to import more from India

NEW DELHI: Ahead of a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese President Hu Jintao, China Wednesday allayed India's apprehensions over the widening trade deficit and stressed that Beijing is encouraging Chinese companies to import more from India.

China Official Warns Of Tough Months Ahead For Exporters

The export capital of the world is in for a long, slow slog thanks to weak trading partners in Europe and creeping protectionism in good ole free market America.

Opportunities in Asia

Charlotte Wun, chief investment officer for Asia at RBC Wealth Management in Hong Kong, gives her perspective on current market conditions and investment opportunities.

Japan posts surprise trade surplus in February

Japan posted a surprise trade surplus in February, after a record high deficit the previous month, as external demand picked up.

Investors eye China services as the next big thing

HONG KONG: As Chinese leaders encourage the country's 1.3 billion people to open their wallets to boost domestic demand, hotel chains, supermarkets and other service providers offer investors a fresh tilt at the country's growth story.

Export Orders in Asia Bode Well for Growth

HONG KONG—Early signs of a rebound in trade in Asia are brightening prospects for the region's export-dependent economies and are evidence that stronger U.S. demand is filtering through to help global growth.

China raises fuel prices for second time in a month

China has raised the price of petrol by about 6% and diesel about 7% for the second time in 2012, as it struggles with the rising cost of crude oil.

IMF calls on China to improve domestic consumption

The head of the International Monetary Fund has warned that the outlook for the global economy remains uncertain following meetings in China with the country's communist party leadership.

Indian keeps interest rates stable amid inflation risk

India's central bank has left interest rates unchanged, saying that inflation remains a risk despite a slowdown in the economy.

Japan Debt-Financing Concern Clouds BOJ’s Bond Buying: Economy

Some Bank of Japan board members are concerned that increased bond purchases by the central bank may be viewed as financing government deficit spending, minutes of last month’s meeting show.

Asia stocks mixed amid doubts about China growth

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian stock markets were mixed Thursday, hindered by falling commodity prices and worries about the extent of China's economic slowdown.

China's Wen Jiabao says 'reforms urgent'

China's Premier Wen Jiabao has delivered a strong warning about the ''urgent'' need for reforms, without which, he said, tragedies such as the Cultural Revolution could still happen.

EU, US, Japan launch rare earth WTO case against China

BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON: The European Union, United States and Japan formally asked the World Trade Organization on Tuesday to settle a dispute with China over Beijing's restriction on exports of raw materials, including rare earth elements critical to electronics makers.

'Made in Japan' stamp to disappear as tsunami sees industry move out

On Sunday, Japan marked the first anniversary of the disaster that decimated Japan's northeast coast, left more than 19,000 dead or missing, and sparked the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

India’s Central Bank Cuts Reserve Ratio as Cash Squeeze Threatens Economy

India’s central bank unexpectedly cut the amount of deposits lenders need to set aside as reserves to ease a cash squeeze in the banking system that threatens to deepen an economic slowdown.

China's inflation rate falls as food prices rises slow

China's inflation rate has fallen to a 20-month low as food price rises eased, giving policy-makers room to stimulate the economy.

Japan Looks Beyond Its Borders for Investors

AIZU-WAKAMATSU, Japan — Mayor Shohei Muroi knows it is a tough sell to get new companies to invest in this struggling industrial city just 60 miles from Japan’s most notorious nuclear plant.So in September, Mr. Muroi did the unthinkable.

Stocks, Commodities Rise Before Greek Swap

Stocks (MXWD) rose for a second day, while commodities gained and the dollar fell after Japan’s economy shrank less than initially estimated. The euro strengthened and Italian bonds advanced as Greece moved closer to completing its debt swap.

Indonesia Moves to Limit Foreign Ownership of Some Mines to Stakes of 49%

Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, will limit foreign companies from owning more than 49 percent of some mines, potentially limiting investment in the world’s largest thermal-coal and tin exporter.

Asia Currencies Drop on Concern Global Slowdown to Hurt Regional Exports

Asian currencies weakened, led by Indonesia’s rupiah and India’s rupee, as concern the global economy is slowing dimmed the outlook for the region’s exports.

China’s February Non-Manufacturing Index Falls in Sign Economy Weakening

China’s non-manufacturing industries contracted for the first time in three months in February, adding to signs the world’s second-biggest economy is weakening.

Europe drags on global economy, few policy options

LONDON/BEIJING (Reuters) - Prospects for a strong recovery in the global economy darkened on Thursday as sputtering factory activity in Europe overshadowed more upbeat data from Asia, at a time when central banks are running out of policy options and reluctant to do more.

Japan car sales jump on subsidies for green vehicles

Japanese car sales, including those of 660cc mini vehicles, rose in February as government subsidies for energy-efficient vehicles lured buyers.