FRANKFURT, Germany -- Downside risks related to geopolitical tensions as well as fiscal and macro-financial policies are being "underestimated" by markets, the European Central Bank has warned, as government spending aimed at countering high fuel prices and increased defense spending weigh on bond markets.

TOKYO -- Japan's Sojitz is making bold, public sector-focused investments in new markets including Uzbekistan and Australia, as the trading house aims to shed its reputation as a poor investor.

TOKYO -- The Bank of Japan is walking a narrow path in its aim to hike interest rates at the upcoming June policy meeting while also avoiding the kind of significant jump in long-term rates seen in December following the last rate hike.

NAGOYA, Japan -- Matsunaga Seika, the maker of the popular Shiruko Sand confectionary, is expanding in Japan and abroad, with plans to open a directly operated store in Singapore by around 2028.

OSAKA -- Panasonic Holdings has positioned stadiums and arenas as a new playing field to expand sales of lighting equipment as growth prospects dim for traditional markets.

OSAKA/TOKYO -- In the two decades since the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells by Kyoto University professor Shinya Yamanaka, the university's core research center for the technology "relied too much on our star researcher," said Koji Eto, who became its director in April.

ASAHIKAWA, Japan -- Farmed salmon is growing into a new revenue source for Japan's fishing industry, with aquaculture sites spreading to about 150 locations nationwide and 2026 production expected to rise 10% on the year to a record high.

NAGOYA, Japan/TOKYO -- Toyota Motor supplier Denso will spend heavily on research and development to wean itself off rare earths, joining five other suppliers on an investment spree in the year ahead.

TOKYO -- China's Chery Automobile looks to offer an all-electric kei minicar in Japan next spring, joining a market made increasingly competitive by Japanese rivals and Chinese EV leader BYD.