JAPAN

You may know actor Keith David for starring opposite Kurt Russell in the 1982 horror film 'The Thing', or for his Tony Award-winning role in the 1992 production of 'Jelly's Last Jam'.

Asian markets were mixed during a volatile session Thursday, with indexes in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Sydney wavering between gains and losses as investors assessed the Federal Reserve's half-point reduction in a key interest rate overnight and the health of the U.S. economy.

A record number of foreigners visited Japan last year as the weak yen lured more Chinese shoppers, French gourmets, and fans of Japanese pop culture, though the country still ranks low among holiday destinations.

The United States, Sweden and Japan topped a new ranking that measures how well countries use telecommunications technologies - networks, cell phones and computers - to boost their social and economic prosperity.

Crude oil prices declined today on falling stock markets in Europe and Asia, and a report about new home sales in the U.S.

European and Asian stock markets fell on Monday as worries continue about a possible U.S. recession that could affect other leading markets. Asia's losses were led by China's Shanghai composite Index which plummeted to close down more than 7 percent, while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was off 2 percent in early afternoon trading. U.S. stocks were set to open lower.

Mizuho Financial Group will join forces with India's top bank, State Bank of India, on syndicated loans and other areas, as Japan's second-largest lender looks to capitalize on the growing Indian economy.

Nissan Motor has been hurt less by the yen's strength than other companies, thanks to its strategy of producing cars for the U.S. market locally, Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn said on Friday.

Sony said on Wednesday it is delaying the planned introduction in late January of a Skype Web phone service for PlayStation Portable (PSP) users in Japan due to technical problems.

Asian stocks rebounded posting strong gains on Wednesday boosted by the U.S. Federal Reserve decision to further cut key interest rate cuts by 0.75 percent, the biggest cut in 23 years.

Mizuho Financial Group's $1.2 billion investment in Merrill Lynch marks a turning point for Japan's once-reeling banks which, after shedding bad debt and rebuilding their businesses, are once again looking for opportunities abroad.

Japan is planning government-backed exams for phone guides who will help users navigate their increasingly complicated mobile phones.

Treasuries rose on Tuesday after global stock markets plummeted a day earlier as investors fled to more secure government bonds.

The Renault-Nissan (RENA.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) (7201.T: Quote, Profile, Research) alliance on Monday signed a deal to begin mass producing electric cars as part of an Israeli-led project to develop alternative energy sources and slash oil dependency.

World stocks nosedived and demand for safe-haven bonds and currencies soared on Monday as fears gripped investors that a deteriorating U.S. economy would drag others down with it. MSCI's main world stock index, a benchmark gauge of stock markets globally, sank 2.6 percent, falling below its 2007 bottom to lows last seen in December 2006.

Japanese electronics firm Fujitsu Ltd said on Monday it would put its struggling semiconductor operations into a new unit, in a move that could smooth the way for partnerships with other chip makers.

World stocks took a beating on Monday and demand for safe-haven bonds and currencies rose as fears gripped investors that a troubled U.S. economy would drag others down with it. MSCI's main world stock index was down 1.9 percent, nearing its 2007 low. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 was down 2.4 percent, taking its 2008 year-to-date losses to 12 percent.

Some U.S. meat and dairy producers are finding new reasons to be nervous

Asia's private equity industry largely shrugged off last year's global credit crunch, with assets under management, fundraising and investment rising at double-digit levels, an industry publication said on Friday.

Virtual worlds, mobile coupons and bar-code readers on cell phones are the next technology wave that U.S. chain stores must ride if they hope to stay competitive in the fast-changing world of global retail.

Oil prices declined for the third consecutive day on Friday on fear and speculation that the U.S. – the top oil consumer- is heading towards an economic recession, thereby weakening demand for the commodity.