ECONOMY

Japan has offered to import more rice from the United States in a compromise aimed at pushing forward the Asia-Pacific regional trade talks, the Nikkei reported on Sunday. (Reuters)

Tokyo stocks have risen 1.05 per cent by the close after European and US markets rallied on the European Central Bank's announcement of a bigger-than-expected stimulus program. (perthnow.com.au)

Japan could see some "concrete movement" in its real economy in 2015, an economic adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday, adding that inflation expectations have been rising under the Bank of Japan's monetary stimulus. (Reuters)

Tokyo stocks finished 0.28 percent higher Thursday after a day of see-saw trade as investors await the European Central Bank's monetary policy meeting later in the day. (brecorder.com)

By acknowledging a delay in reaching the goal of 2% inflation, Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda risks dampening market expectations for policies that have led to a weaker yen and higher stock prices. (Nikkei)

Existing-store sales at supermarkets in Japan sank for an 18th straight year in 2014 amid sluggish consumer spending on food, apparel and daily necessities, according to figures released Wednesday by the Japan Chain Stores Association. (Nikkei)

Tokyo shares fell on Wednesday, countering a broad rally in Asian markets, after the Bank of Japan slashed its inflation forecast and held off fresh easing measures after a two-day meeting. (globalpost.com)

The Bank of Japan Wednesday cut its inflation forecast for the next fiscal year, as the recent plunge in oil prices has put pressure on price increases, crimping the bank's efforts to defeat deflation. (Kyodo)

Economic activity in China is clearly losing steam as the real estate market cools, and the slower growth in the world's second-largest economy is taking a toll on the rest of Asia and the world. (Nikkei)

Japanese stocks made their biggest gain in a month on Tuesday, and Chinese stocks bounced back from a selloff, after data showed China's economy grew faster than expected in the fourth quarter. (marketwatch.com)