Retail
Japan furniture seller Nitori to open first Philippines store in Manila
Retailer aims for 50 shops in country by 2032 amid Asia-focused overseas push
East Asia
Work
Japan's smaller companies gain leeway to raise pay on steady profits
With slower growth in labor costs, wage hikes poised to spread to more industries
Markets
Japan and U.S. stock rallies fueled by tech on AI boom
Some see 1990s dot-com-style bubble, but current stock prices supported by earnings
Business deals
Nippon Steel executive to negotiate with union on U.S. Steel deal
Japan steelmaker aims to complete purchase before November presidential election
Commodities
Mitsubishi Corp. to invest in Canadian lithium project
Japanese trading house teams with Frontier for supply chain without China
Pharmaceuticals
Sumitomo Pharma to cut 400 jobs at U.S. subsidiary
Move comes amid slow sales as company eyes net loss for second straight year
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Announcements
Disco, Socionext and Zozo to be added to Nikkei 225
Takara Holdings, Sumitomo Osaka Cement and Pacific Metals to be deleted
China People's Congress
China's legislative sessions start with stimulus in the spotlight
Short-term measures expected to address property slump, other problems
China People's Congress
China scraps Premier Li's NPC news conference, breaking tradition
Decision to nix briefing closes one of the few windows on Beijing's thinking
Markets
Japan's Nikkei average closes above 40,000, led by booming chip stocks
Toyota, Fast Retailing fall while benchmark index crosses key milestone
International relations
Australia wants 'region where no one country dominates': FM Wong
Tensions with China over contested waters top agenda at ASEAN-Australia summit
Economy
Japan corporate capital spending jumps 16.4% in Q4
Solid data could pave way for Bank of Japan exit from stimulus
Automobiles
Japan antitrust watchdog to warn Nissan on underpaying subcontractors
Automaker alleged to have underpaid companies by $20m upon delivery
Defense
South Korea and U.S. start stepped-up military drills
Exercises to bolster defense against North Korean missile strikes, other dangers
Energy
Japan's J-Power makes bid for Australian renewables firm Genex
$249m bid, at AU$0.275 per share, is nearly 50% premium on Friday close
Caixin
China overhaul of Company Law sparks praise but concerns some
Changes aim to fix loopholes and bolster investor confidence in economy
Market Spotlight
South Korea's plan to boost stock market disappoints investors
Chaebol benefit from low share prices due to high inheritance tax, experts say
Economy
More young Japanese choosing flexibility over full-time jobs
Rising trend raises questions about social security programs
Opinion
Being a 'connector' for China is no longer working for Hong Kong
City needs to rethink economic role to show it can still be relevant
Education
Japanese universities set to raise foreign student tuition
Colleges seek to attract global talent by offering better support
Defense
U.S. seeks to revive idled shipyards with help of Japan, South Korea
Navy secretary visits Hyundai, Hanwha and Mitsubishi to invite investment
Politics
South Korean doctors holds a mass rally against medical policy
Demanding the government scrap the plan to increase medical school admissions
Politics
Sunflower protests recast Taiwan's ties with the world, activist says
March is 10th anniversary of student movement that stopped a trade deal with China
Interview
Turkey's ex-president slams U.S. 'double standards' on Israel, Ukraine
Abdullah Gul says West's policies on conflicts could benefit China
Your Week in Asia
China 'Two Sessions', ASEAN-Australia Summit, Malaysia rate decision
Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events