To some degree, Japan allowed deflation, or at least they did not choose extremely aggressive policies to fight it. This is largely due to the influence of Japanese constituents who own fixed income, which would devalue in the face of inflation.
Now a new generation of drivers is set to embark on a similar kind of experiment. Until recently, most electric vehicles, or EVs as they are often known, have had a range of just a few dozen miles, limiting their usefulness and appeal.
Hyundai Motor, South Korea's No.1 carmaker, unveiled its first pure electric car on Thursday, with a goal of commencing mass production of the vehicles in 2012.
China will have an aging population problem comparable to that of Japan and Western Europe in 30 years or so with perhaps important implications for elderly care and manufacturing.
Nissan Motor Co and its Chinese partner Dongfeng Motor Group unveiled on Wednesday a new brand for their local passenger car venture, saying the first model would be introduced in 2012.
Toyota Motor Corp plans to begin producing a hybrid version of the Yaris subcompact at its factory in France in the business year starting next April, the Mid-Japan Economist newspaper said.
Nissan Motor is open to a green car alliance with Chinese automakers, a senior executive said on Saturday, as it moves to tap the fledgling industry in the world's largest auto market.
Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp said it will build its fourth auto plant in India, boosting its output in one of the fastest growing car markets to 1.5 million units a year.
Stocks jumped and commodities rallied on Friday after data showed U.S. job losses were less than expected in August, the second major report this week to ease fears the American economy may slip back into recession.
Gold prices fell more than 1 percent on Friday to their lowest in three sessions, after data showed U.S. non-farm payrolls fell by less than expected in August, boosting the appeal of assets seen as higher risk.
Slim gains from miners and energy firms nudged the FTSE 100 slightly higher on Friday, but moves were muted ahead of closely watched August employment data from the United States.
European shares edged higher in early trade on Friday, after gains in the United States and Japan, but with traders cautious ahead of a key labour market report.
In the global market gold witnessed no major movements as the traders are waiting for the US job data which will be released later.
The FTSE 100 is seen climbing 7-8 points on open on Friday, with moves seen muted ahead of closely watched employment data from the United States.
The euro and high-yielding currencies held firm on Friday after an improvement in U.S. housing and jobless claims data bolstered investor appetite for risk ahead of key U.S. jobs data due later in the day.
Still, reflecting simmering worries about a slowdown in the U.S. and global economies, the yen was locked near a 15-year high against the dollar and the Swiss franc hovered near a record peak against the euro.
Ruling party powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa pledged bold steps on Thursday to fix Japan's flagging economy if he becomes premier, floating tax cuts and threatening to intervene in currency markets to curb the yen's rapid rise.
The euro edged up on Thursday after healthy results at Spanish and French bond auctions but investors cautiously awaited comments from European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet.
The ECB earlier left interest rates unchanged, as expected, at 1.0 percent. The decision had little impact on the euro. Trichet was due to hold a news conference at 1230 GMT.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard came within grasp of a return to power on Thursday after one of four kingmaker MPs backed her Labor Party's bid to form a minority government following last month's dead-heat elections.
Oil dipped on Thursday as investors turned their attention to upcoming U.S. employment reports, following gains of almost 3 percent a day earlier after positive manufacturing data lifted spirits across markets.
Costco Wholesale Corp , the largest U.S. warehouse club operator, reported a 7 percent rise in August sales at stores open at least a year, aided by surge in gasoline prices and foreign currency gains.
Japanese ruling party powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa, challenging Prime Minister Naoto Kan in a party leadership vote, said on Thursday that action was needed to stem rapid rises in the yen that are threatening the economy.
The dollar was on the defensive on Thursday, retaining most of the losses sustained the previous day when upbeat data helped lure investors away from safe-haven currencies and assets.
Figures released on Wednesday showed the U.S. manufacturing sector grew faster than expected and China's factory output regained momentum in August, while Australia's economy expanded at its fastest pace in three years in the second quarter.
