Japan business mood defies economic headwinds, backs BOJ optimism

(Reuters) - Confidence of Japanese manufacturers held steady in June while the service-sector mood rebounded from the prior month, an encouraging sign for the economy as it tries to hold its ground in the face of soft exports and weakening consumption.

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.

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.

Asia's export engine stuck in neutral despite U.S. uptick

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Asia's once-reliable export engine remains stalled two years into a global economic recovery, raising concerns about the region's competitiveness and its ability to motor through the next tough time for emerging markets.

Gold Output in Australia Increases in Second Quarter on Grades

Gold output in Australia, the world’s second-biggest producer, advanced in the second quarter on an increase in the amount of metal mined and higher ore grades, according to mining consultant Surbiton Associates Pty.

Asia's exports stutter, missing out on U.S. revival

HONG KONG: The U.S. economy may have stopped sneezing, but Asia's exports are still laid up with a nasty cold. Growth in exports from seven of East Asia's biggest exporters - Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore - slowed to a halt in the second quarter, according to national trade data compiled by Reuters, led by a 9 percent drop in exports to the European Union compared to a year earlier.

Kerry to Assure Asia on Pivot Armed With Stronger Economy

When John Kerry makes his first trip to Southeast Asia as secretary of state this weekend, he’ll have an easier time convincing allies of a message his colleagues often repeat: The U.S. military shift to the region is sustainable.

Asia joins world economy’s new normal as China loses its edge

UNITED NATIONS — “Asia Pacific economic economies will see subdued growth in 2013 after last year’s sharp slowdown caused by external factors,” is the prognosis from a recent UN survey.

China's March inflation eases to 2.1 percent

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration said on Friday that China's currency remained "significantly undervalued," but again stopped short of labeling the world's second-biggest economy a currency manipulator.

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.

Japan’s Retail Sales Fall in October as Car Sales Drop

Japan’s retail sales fell in October by the most in 11 months as consumers purchased fewer cars and televisions, adding pressure on the government to stimulate an economy that may be entering a recession.

Asia stocks post slight gains after Black Friday

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian stock markets posted slight gains Monday after the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season in the U.S. topped expectations, offsetting concerns about Greece's financial crisis.

HK economy grows 1.3 in 3Q, govt trims forecast

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong trimmed its growth forecast for the year on Friday as the weak global economy weighed heavily on the trade-dependent Asian financial center, mirroring a similar move by regional rival Singapore.

Japan Stocks Rise Third Day on U.S. Jobs, Weaker Yen

Japanese stocks rose for a third day as the yen weakened and reports on U.S. employment, manufacturing and consumer confidence signaled improvement in the world’s largest economy.

Asia stocks mixed ahead of BOJ meeting

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian stock markets were mixed Monday, with traders widely expecting the Bank of Japan to announce new measures to help the country break out of its deflationary slump.

China central bank vows to ensure steady credit growth

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's central bank on Thursday pledged to guarantee steady expansion in money supply and credit to cushion the world's second-largest economy against stiff global headwinds.

Japan's government could run out of cash by October

(Reuters) - Japan's government could run out of money by the end of October, halting all state spending including salaries, pensions and unemployment benefits, because of a standoff in parliament that has blocked a bill to finance the deficit.

China data points towards economic recovery

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's official purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to a 13-month high in April, signaling the economy has found a footing and may be recovering from a first-quarter trough, but smaller factories are still struggling.

Asia stocks rise on Japan hopes, Europe retreats

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian stocks catapulted higher Wednesday amid speculation Japan might take new measures to spur its economy, but European shares scaled back a day after posting strong gains.

China says manufacturing expands

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- China watchers got a mixed view this weekend of the country's all-important manufacturing sector.