Japan

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares mostly rose Monday, cheered by a rally on Wall Street as a grim jobs report signaled to investors that interest rates will likely stay low.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.6% in afternoon trading to 29,518.34. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 jumped 1.3% to 7,172.80. South Korea’s Kospi added 1.7% to 3,252.01. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged down 0.3% to 28,527.52, while the Shanghai Composite fell nearly 0.1% to 3,416.19.

The regional gains are coming despite a recent surge in coronavirus infections in Asia.

TOKYO (AP) — Trains packed with commuters returning to work after a weeklong national holiday. Frustrated young people drinking in the streets because bars are closed. Protests planned over a possible visit by the Olympics chief.

As the coronavirus spreads in Japan ahead of the Tokyo Olympics starting in 11 weeks, one of the world’s least vaccinated nations is showing signs of strain, both societal and political.

(Reuters) --- Japan’s capital will seek to extend until May 31 its state of emergency aimed at curbing coronavirus infections, Governor Yuriko Koike said on Thursday, a move that could spark more questions about its ability to host the Olympics.

Japan had hoped a "short and powerful" emergency would contain a fourth wave of infections just under three months before Tokyo is set to host the Olympic Games from July 23.

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mixed Thursday on cautious optimism about upcoming company earnings reports showing some recovery from the damage of the coronavirus pandemic.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 jumped 2.0% in morning trading to 29,391.19, in the first session after the Golden Week series of national holidays. South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.7% to 3,168.56, but Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.5% to 7,057.80. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng inched up nearly 0.1% to 28,436.53, while the Shanghai Composite slipped 0.4% to 3,433.39.

(Reuters) --- An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8, revised up from an earlier estimate of 6.6, jolted northeast Japan on Saturday, shaking buildings 400 kilometres away in Tokyo and raising the possibility of landslides closer to the epicentre.

No tsunami alert was issued after the quake, which struck at 10.27 am Japan time (0127 GMT) off the coast of Miyagi prefecture at a depth of 51 kilometres (32 miles), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA earlier estimated its depth at 60 kilometres.

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mostly lower Friday amid uncertainty about the prospects for a global economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 dipped 0.5% in morning trading to 28,900.98. South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.7% to 3,150.48. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.6% to 7,042.60. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 1.4% to 28,883.41, while the Shanghai Composite slipped 0.6% to 3,454.76.

TOKYO, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Japan's upper house of parliament on Wednesday approved the world's largest free trade deal, which comprises 15 Asia-Pacific countries and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The House of Representatives, the lower house of the parliament, gave its approval earlier this month.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will create a massive free trade zone which will cover roughly 30 percent of the world's gross domestic product, trade and population.

TOKYO (AP) — Local organizers and the International Olympic Committee pushed ahead Wednesday with plans to open the postponed Tokyo Olympics in just under three months, unveiling the latest set of rule books to show how the games can be held during a pandemic.

The timing of the second edition of the “Playbooks” is not ideal. The version for Olympic athletes is out Wednesday, with similar guides for other participants out on Friday.

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mostly moderately higher in listless trading Wednesday, as investors watched for news out of a Federal Reserve meeting.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.4% to 29,104.51 in morning trading, while South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.8% to 3,189.72. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.5% to 7,066.70. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged up 0.2% to 29,005.46 while the Shanghai Composite rose 0.2% to 3,448.25.

Analysts said Asian investors have adopted a wait-and-see stance ahead of the Fed meeting.

TOKYO (AP) — The trial of two Americans accused of helping former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn escape from Japan while out on bail will open on June 14, the Tokyo District Court said Wednesday.

Michael Taylor and his son Peter are accused of hiding Ghosn in a music box so he could flee to Lebanon in late 2019. The Taylors have been denied bail at the Tokyo Detention Center and not available for comment.