Japan PM shrugs off global criticism over latest stimulus steps

(Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe waded into the growing global debate about currency wars for the first time on Wednesday, shrugging off criticism that Tokyo was trying to intentionally weaken the yen with its monetary and fiscal stimulus measures.

India's long wait for rate cut seen ending as RBI reviews policy

MUMBAI (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of India is widely expected make a modest cut in interest rates later on Tuesday to support an economy set for its slowest growth in a decade, with a deeper cut unlikely due worries over the fiscal and external deficits and inflation.

China's growth to hit 8% in 2013

China's economy will pick up pace a little in 2013 and inflationary pressures will increase, the deputy governor of the country's central bank said Saturday.

Asian Currencies Fall Most in 6 Months as Yen Fuels Intervention

Asian currencies fell this week by the most since July as a slide in the yen fanned concern regional central banks will intervene to prevent exchange-rate gains that may hurt exports.

Indonesia readies for $1 trillion trade talks

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — Indonesia may hold the key to a $1 trillion injection into the global economy. That's how much the World Trade Organization believes is riding on talks later this year in Bali, when trade ministers hope to cut through some of the red tape that slows global commerce.

South Korea central bank questions Bank of Japan easing

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - South Korea's central bank governor on Saturday questioned the efficacy of Japan's decision to ease monetary policy, saying its decision to start buying assets in 2014 could have unintended long-term consequences.

Japan posts record high trade deficit in 2012

Japan has posted a record high trade deficit for 2012, as exports to Europe and China continued their plunge.

In China, the Appearance of Consensus Is Breaking Down

GUANGZHOU, China — For two decades after the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989, China seemed on the surface like a country where free-market and even laissez-faire principles prevailed.

India, Largest Gold Buyer, Raises Import Tax to Cut Deficit

India, the world’s largest bullion buyer, raised taxes on gold imports to reduce a record current- account deficit and moderate demand for the precious metal that’s rallied for 12 straight years.

Asia-Pacific banks to comply with new Basel III reforms: Standard & Poor's

MUMBAI: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services on Monday said that it expects most of the Asia-Pacific banks to be able to comply with the new requirements of the Basel III capital reforms without significant difficulty, due to primarily to their relatively strong core capital.

Hong Kong ETFs to Surge in 2013? - ETF News And Commentary

Although the lingering effects of the global economic recession left Hong Kong distressed since the second half of 2011, it was on a slower recovery trail in 2012.

Japan government, BOJ 'getting closer' on monetary policy statement

TOKYO: Japanese Economics Minister Akira Amari said on Sunday that the government and the Bank of Japan were getting closer to an agreement on a joint statement on monetary policy expected to be issued next week.

Analysis: Budget woes could hurt outreach to Asia

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama wants Asia to be a growing focus of his foreign policy, but as his second terms starts, success could hinge on his ability to manage hot spots elsewhere in the world and avert a fiscal crisis at home.

China Set to Exit Slowdown as Government Supports Infrastructure

China’s economy is set to exit a seven-quarter slowdown as the government rolls out infrastructure projects and limited inflation lets officials hold off from tightening monetary policy.

Japan cabinet approves 13.1 trln yen extra budget

TOKYO: Japan's cabinet approved on Tuesday a 13.1 trillion yen ($146.8 billion) extra budget, which includes 10.3 trillion yen in economic stimulus spending announced last week, as the government tries to boost a flagging economy.

Indian inflation eases to 11-month low in December

Indian inflation slowed last month, boosting hopes of an interest rate cut when the central bank meets later this month.

China economy to rebound in 2013: AFP survey

BEIJING: China's economy is poised finally to end a long downward trend in 2013, economists polled by AFP say, as the new communist leadership vows to retool the nation's investment-led development model and promote a "happy life" for all.

US takes Indonesia to WTO over import restrictions

The US has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Indonesia's restrictions on imports of horticultural and animal products.

Deutsche Bank Says Philippine Economy Will Perform Well in 2013; Warns of Overheating

The Philippine economy will likely continue performing well in 2013 on improving external demand, Deutsche Bank's chief economist for Asia-Pacific said Thursday, but warned that the Southeast Asian nation's economy could overheat given that it has been growing faster than its potential in the last three years.

China Loan Share at Record Low Shows Financing Risks

China’s bank loans as a share of funding in the economy may have fallen to a record low, highlighting the growth of alternative financing channels that have prompted warnings of rising credit risks.

Exclusive: Bank of Japan may ease again, double price target as government keeps up heat

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan will consider easing monetary policy again this month and also perhaps doubling its inflation target to 2 percent, sources said, as the economy's weakness threatens to delay its escape from two decades of deflation.

China Takes Cue From U.S., Expands Budget Deficit

The U.S. isn’t the only nation with a budget problem. First there is all of Europe. And now there is China.

Private equity pours money into India primary healthcare

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Private equity funds quadrupled their investment in India's primary healthcare, betting the sick and ailing will stop seeing family doctors in often cramped and dingy quarters and check into modern chains sprouting up across Asia's No.3 economy.

Japan's finance minister in Myanmar with development pledges

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (Reuters) - Japan's new government confirmed its support for the emerging democracy in Myanmar on Thursday when Finance Minister Taro Aso visited the country to reaffirm Japan's intention to cancel debt and help develop a big industrial zone.

Asian Economies Show Signs of Strength

SINGAPORE—Asia's economies are showing resilience as 2013 gets under way, with a variety of data indicating manufacturing and growth are starting to pick up, just as short-term uncertainty is lifting on the U.S. fiscal cliff.

China manufacturing activity sees steady growth

Manufacturing activity in China has expanded for the third month in a row, adding to hopes of a rebound in the world's second-largest economy.

NKorea's Kim wants better living standards, arms

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday called for improving the economy and living standards of his impoverished nation with the same urgency that scientists showed in successfully testing a long-range rocket recently.