JAPAN

China says its Gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009 expanded by 8.7% and the fourth quarter expanded 10.7% that form a powerful springboard for it to jump over Japan and become the world's second-largest economy.

Most Asian stock markets fell on Thursday as investors worried that China would take more measures to temper growth after reporting its fastest quarterly growth in two years.

China easily beat its 2009 growth target after a blistering performance in the fourth quarter that forms a powerful springboard for it to jump over Japan this year to become the world's second-largest economy.

China easily beat its 2009 growth target after a blistering performance in the fourth quarter that forms a powerful springboard for it to jump over Japan this year to become the world's second-largest economy.

Sony Computer Entertainment announced Wednesday that it plans to roll out its new motion controller for the PlayStation 3 this fall.

A sister company to Toyota Motor Corp secured a lithium supply deal in Argentina on Wednesday that could help the world's largest automaker keep its lead in gasoline-electric hybrid cars.

Japan has changed its auto replacement incentive program to give U.S. cars more chance to qualify after the United States complained its automakers were shut out, the Japanese government said on Tuesday.

A sister company to Toyota Motor Corp secured a lithium supply deal in Argentina on Wednesday that could help the world's largest automaker keep its lead in gasoline-electric hybrid cars.

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.38 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.37 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.48 percent at 1018 GMT (5:18 a.m. EST).

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.38 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.37 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.48 percent at 1018 GMT (5:18 a.m. EST).

The euro slumped to four-month lows on Wednesday as the loss of a crucial support level triggered a wave of selling from investors afraid the single currency was embarking on a sustained slump.

Japan Airlines Corp filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday owing more than $25 billion, and vowed to slash 15,700 jobs and unprofitable routes as it tries to survive volatile fuel costs and fickle flyers.

Japan's Trade Ministry changed the terms of its car scrappage incentive scheme on Tuesday to include vehicles imported from the United States, after complaints from Washington that U.S. vehicles were being excluded.

Japan and the United States reaffirmed their five-decade security alliance on Tuesday, vowing to expand ties into new areas even as they squabble over the relocation of a U.S. Marine base.

Japan Airlines Corp filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, owing more than $25 billion, and vowed to slash 15,700 jobs and unprofitable routes as it tries to survive volatile fuel costs and fickle flyers.

Japan Airlines Corp filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday owing more than $25 billion, and vowed to slash 15,700 jobs in an effort to survive in an industry hit by volatile fuel costs and fickle flyers.

Japan Airlines Corp's board voted to file for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, media reported, a move that will see it slash 15,000 jobs and replace aging planes to survive an industry beset by volatile fuel costs and fickle flyers.

Japan Airlines Corp is set to file for one of the country's largest ever bankruptcies on Tuesday, marking the failure of the former state-owned carrier that once symbolized Japan Inc's international aspirations.

As Japan Airlines nears a likely bankruptcy, two of the largest global airline alliances could see a shift of JAL from the OneWorld Alliance, which includes American Airlines, to the SkyTeam alliance, which is headed by Delta Airlines and Air France-KLM Group.

Toyota Motor Corp aims to double its global output of gas-electric hybrid cars to 1 million units in 2011, as it fights to stay in the lead in the growing market for low-emission cars, the Nikkei business reported on Monday.

France raised its economic growth forecast for 2010 on Monday but the central banks of Germany and Italy offered more sobering readouts on the probable strength of the recovery from recession in Europe.