JAPAN

Oil fell back below $40 a barrel while China reported that its exports slumped 24 percent in February.

For its next smartphone, Apple may be thinking about bigger displays that would rival Samsung's.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called the disputed waters, through which about half of the world’s cargo ships pass, one of the safest shipping lanes.

Revised data on Japan's gross domestic product show it contracted 1.1 percent in the fourth quarter, not 1.4 percent.

Japan gets ready for International Women’s Day with some wishing there was more to celebrate. In spite of a push to get more women into leadership, the nation's movers and shakers are still mostly male.

Foreign exchange reserves fell for the fourth month in a row to $3.20 trillion in February, the lowest level since December 2011.

Southeast Asia’s biggest budget airline, which reported its first profit in nine quarters, plans to boost flights to second-tier cities as competition heats up.

China reset its economic growth forecast for 2015 to a range of 6.5 percent to 7 percent.

Traditional Japanese views that families are obliged to care for elderly relatives have long been an obstacle to rejecting or withdrawing life-prolonging treatment.

Menstrual-leave policies have been in place in Japan for many years.

After returning to Earth, the astronaut has been busy with medical tests and public appearances.

The complaint, filed Thursday, challenges measures that increase fees on certain categories of temporary work visas for the United States.

Stock markets across Asia and Europe rallied Friday as investor sentiment was buoyed by optimistic expectations from the U.S.

Protesters have been asking for the U.S. Futenma airbase to be removed entirely from Okinawa, instead of being relocated within the island.

Last year, the Asian powerhouse had increased its defense allocation by 10.1 percent.

The naval drills are to be held off the northern coast of the Philippines near the South China Sea to reinforce a “freedom of navigation” doctrine.

Japanese shares were lower Friday while U.S. shares rose a third straight day on Thursday, extending gains that started after Feb. 11, the low for the year.

The Philippines said that though Chinese ships have left a contested area, their presence could bolster its arbitration case against Beijing.

The yen held at around 113 to the U.S. dollar Thursday after a big gain Wednesday.

The 8K standard was previously demonstrated under the name "Super Hi-Vision" by Japan's NHK broadcaster.

Most European stocks tracked robust gains in Asian markets while U.S. stock futures traded in the red.