Japan Optimism Rekindled

The latest economic data from Japan is providing some good news for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as he tries to demonstrate that his “Abenomics” economic program is still going strong.

India gold tax hits bridal budgets; smuggling up

MUMBAI, India — With India’s wedding season in full swing, the glass sales counters in Mumbai’s famed Zhaveri gold bazaars are crowded with customers eyeing elaborate headpieces, nose rings and necklaces.

Asian Currencies Decline This Week as Fed Taper Spurs Outflows

Most Asian currencies fell this week as signs of an improving U.S. economy bolstered demand for the dollar amid tapering from the Federal Reserve that’s spurring outflows from emerging markets.

Chinese budget carrier gets approval for Japanese airline

BEIJING: Chinese budget carrier Spring Airlines has gained approval for a Japanese joint venture set to begin flying in May. The new carrier is planning flights from Japan's Narita airport to Saga, Takamatsu and Hiroshima.

Taiwan Holds Key Rate After GDP Growth Forecasts Trimmed

Taiwan held its benchmark interest rate for a 10th straight meeting after it lowered its forecasts for economic growth and inflation this year and next.

Japan drops "deflation" from economic view as prices pick up

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan dropped the term "deflation" in describing its economy for the first time in four years amid signs of consumer prices picking up, an indication the government has made progress in its battle with 15 years of grinding price falls.

China cash squeeze persists even after central bank reassures market

(Reuters) - China's cash market squeeze showed little sign of easing on Monday, reinforcing the view the central bank has shifted to tighter monetary policy.

Economic fears expose Laos' unequal boom

VIENTIANE (Reuters) - For the Communists running Laos, the fruits of capitalism have never been so bountiful.

China to make new bid to join global procurement pact in 2014

(Reuters) - China has agreed to make a revised offer to join a global agreement aimed at creating a level playing field for foreign companies competing for government contracts, senior U.S. and Chinese officials said on Friday.

Japan forecasts GDP growth of 1.4 percent for fiscal 2014

(Reuters) - The government forecast on Saturday that Japan's real gross domestic product will grow by 1.4 percent for the fiscal year starting March 2014, slowing from an expected 2.6 percent growth for the current year as a planned sales tax increase is seen dampening consumption.

China's pollution bill may be too big for it to bear now

China's massive and long-term pollution problem is putting an economic thesis to the test.

Asia business sentiment falls but India outlook bullish

SEOUL (Reuters) - Business sentiment among Asia's top companies dropped sharply in the fourth quarter, extending last quarter's declines, with global economic uncertainty and rising costs weighing on the region's firms, a Thomson Reuters/INSEAD survey showed.

SE Asia Stocks-Firmer on global economy outlook; Fed meet eyed

Dec 17 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian markets rose on Tuesday, with most recovering from three-month lows, encouraged by upbeat data from the United States and the euro zone ahead of a crucial U.S. Federal Reserve meeting starting later in the day.

As America enjoys cheap gas, Asia's top buyers to pay more

SEOUL/PERTH: Asia's biggest economies face paying twice as much for some natural gas as old supply deals are renewed, with a North American shale glut years from helping to meet soaring demand in the region.

If China's Economy Slows, What Happens To Its Healthcare Plans?

For the last decade, guessing when China’s economy will slow down has been something of a sport. Much of this is because such a moment, or as those most pessimistic have long argued, an “inevitable” domestic financial crisis, would test the Beijing Model.

Japan in currency deals with Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore

TOKYO: Japan has expanded currency swap agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines, officials said Friday, as Tokyo looks to bolster regional relations to counter the growing influence of China.

Shares in Chinese ‘Bad Bank’ Surge in Hong Kong Debut

HONG KONG — Shares in the state-run ‘‘bad bank’’ China Cinda Asset Management rose as much as 33 percent on their trading debut in Hong Kong on Thursday after the bank raised around $2.5 billion last week on huge demand for its initial public offering.

Industrial output seen contracting in October

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's industrial production is expected to have contracted for the first time in four months in October, a Reuters poll showed, a sign the economy remains fragile despite a modest rebound in the September quarter.

Green Groups Get a Big Win in the Palm Oil Wars

Green groups notched a big win yesterday in the climate-change wars. For years, environmentalists have been trying to shame multinationals from using palm oil grown on land in Indonesia and Malaysia that had been rain forest.

Chinese export growth accelerates in November

China's exports rose more than expected in November adding to signs of a rebound in the world's second-largest economy.

Japan revises 3Q economic growth lower to 1.1 pct

TOKYO (AP) — Japan has revised its economic growth estimate for the last quarter downward after finding that capital investment slowed more than expected in July-September.

Taiwan and China: Best Friends Suddenly

China’s tense relationships with its neighbors have recently grown even worse.

China leaders to set policy, reform priorities for 2014

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's leaders are expected to gather at a closed-door meeting next week to set policy and reform priorities for 2014, sources with government think tanks said, following a party meeting that laid out a bold reform agenda for the next decade.

Japan approves $182 bln economic package, doubts remain

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet approved a $182 billion package on Thursday to pull the economy out of deflation, but doubts remain about the impact.

India refuses to budge on WTO trade deal

Hopes of sealing a global trade deal at a World Trade Organization (WTO) summit in Indonesia have faded, after India said it would not budge on some rules governing food subsidies.

David Cameron defends China trade mission

British Prime Minister David Cameron has defended his trade mission to China after criticism in the Chinese media.

Insight: After massive economic stimulus, BOJ under pressure to do more

(Reuters) - A year into "Abenomics," it was not supposed to be like this for the Bank of Japan.

India economy posts surprise 4.8% quarterly growth

New Delhi (AFP) - India posted surprisingly strong quarterly economic growth of 4.8 percent Friday, on the back of robust farm output, but hopes of a sharp recovery before next year's elections still appeared faint.

Vietnam Sees Oil Output in 340,000 Barrel Range for ‘Few Years’

Vietnam is likely to maintain its current oil production level of about 340,000 barrels per day “for the next few years,” according to an official from state-owned Vietnam Oil & Gas Group.