ECONOMY

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Laotian counterpart, Thongsing Thammavong, agreed on Friday to promote their countries' economic cooperation, including Japan's assistance for infrastructure development in Laos. (Jiji Press)

Tokyo stocks rose 1.17 percent on Friday as investor sentiment was lifted by overnight gains on Wall Street and the European Central Bank's announcement that it will begin buying bonds under quantitative easing on Monday. (shanghaidaily.com)

Tokyo stocks ended 0.26 percent higher Thursday as investors awaited an upcoming policy meeting of the European Central Bank and a report on the U.S. labor market. (Xinhua)

The government will establish a public-private council by the end of March to help struggling gas stations operating in thinly populated areas. (The Japan News)

Japan's Nikkei share average dropped to a one-week low on Wednesday as an overnight fall in US shares triggered profit-taking after the index scaled a 15-year peak earlier in the week. (thehindubusinessline.com)

Tokyo stocks closed flat Tuesday on profit-taking after several days of gains, while Sharp tumbled on a report that said the struggling electronics maker is seeking aid from its key lenders and may close some money-losing units. (Global Post)

Japanese corporate capital expenditures grew in October-December from a year earlier but the pace slowed from the prior quarter, casting doubt about strength of business investment seen as key to spurring growth in the world's third-largest economy. (Reuters)

Japanese stocks rose as the yen fell for a third day and investors weighed an interest-rate cut by China amid signs the world's second-biggest economy is weakening. (customstoday)

Recovering demand in the U.S. and other foreign markets is driving up Japan's output, especially as the weak yen finally starts to benefit businesses here by bolstering profits on exports. (Nikkei)

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda says expected wage hikes are weakening the country's deflationary mindset despite falling oil prices. (NHK)