JAPAN

Gold rebounded on short covering on Friday after falling around 1 percent in the previous session, while a rise in ETF holdings to another record showed bullion still attracted buying from investors.

Stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wall Street on Friday following the previous session's strong gains, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.24 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.19 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.15 percent at 0944 GMT.

Asian stocks rose for a fourth day on Friday on optimism that the world economic recovery was on track despite Europe's debt woes, while the euro was steady after a rally the previous day.

Japan will pledge to cap new bond issuance next fiscal year at the record sum earmarked for this year, National Strategy Minister Satoshi Arai said, as the new government struggles to convince markets of its resolve to fix the country's tattered finances.

Japan's new Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda said on Friday he had agreed with U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner in a phone call earlier in the day to closely monitor developments in Europe.

U.S. technology companies hope a preliminary World Trade Organization ruling expected on Friday will persuade the European Union to drop tariffs on three products at the center of the dispute.

The Australian Dollar has opened more than one US cent higher today, buoyed by improved investor sentiment on the global economic recovery.

The euro rose on Thursday after the head of China's national pension fund said the currency would weather Europe's debt crisis, though caution before a European Central Bank policy decision capped gains.

Losses in European shares offset gains in Asia on Thursday to drag down world stocks while the euro gained in part because of supportive comments from the influential head of China's national pension fund.

Asian stocks rose on Thursday on higher-than-expected Chinese exports and assurances from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the U.S. economic recovery was on solid footing, but European stocks were expected to open lower, tracking Wall Street's fall overnight.

New strategic brinkmanship by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK); a now-clear determination by the People's Republic of China (PRC) to more aggressively assert its territorial claims in regional waters; the near-collapse of Japanese strategic cohesion during 2010; and the increasing signs of US political caution in North-East Asia, all point to a period of strategic concern for the Republic of China, particularly in its maritime responsibilities.

A third strike in four weeks hit Honda Motor Co's Chinese suppliers on Wednesday, fuelling concerns that unrest among workers in the world's manufacturing hub is spreading.

* New finmin shares PM's view inflation above 1 pct needed * Says BOJ has taken appropriate, flexible steps on deflation * Won't guide currency rates in certain direction -Noda * Says Japan to report fiscal reform plans to Toronto G20

Japan's new Prime Minister Naoto Kan has vowed to tackle the country's huge public debt, but his commitment to fiscal austerity could be tested with the economic recovery still fragile.

Apple's iPad, initially viewed as a Web entertainment gadget for consumers, is quickly making inroads across businesses in Asia as wedding planners, luxury hotels and airlines hook up to the tablet computer.

Japan's Hitachi Ltd said on Wednesday it still expects to win an order for a large train project in Britain, but it acknowledged that some modifications to the $11 billion deal were likely.

Europe's debt crisis could disrupt global trade, hurting demand for Asian exports and sending hot money into the region if policymakers fail to act swiftly and appropriately, a top IMF official said on Wednesday.

European shares pushed higher on Wednesday, tracking gains in most Asian equity markets, as news of strong Chinese exports sparked a tentative return of risk appetite while the euro stabilized on options demand.

Most Asian stock markets clawed back early losses on Wednesday and the euro stabilized as news of stronger-than-expected exports from China offset worries that Europe's debt problems will stifle demand for Asian goods.

What is your Prediction for Gold in 2010 and 2011 Many are projecting gold to perhaps double in the span of one to two years. I think this would only be the case under one or two very severe circumstances. The most prominent threats are that the euro is abandoned or substantially restructured or there are a series of prominent downgrades amongst the major economies.

A new strike has broken out at a Chinese factory making exhaust systems for Honda Motor , prompting the carmaker to plan a suspension at two local car plants just days after a strike at another supplier was settled.