TOKYO -- Japanese companies are increasingly tapping their accounts receivable to procure funds, selling them to obtain bank loans as they seek to diversify fundraising methods amid rising interest rates.

TOKYO -- Aluminum is near its highest price level in four years as Middle East supply concerns linger in spite of a ceasefire agreement, prompting Japanese companies to look into alternate sources such as Australia and even Russia -- though the transition would take time and could pose risks.

TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Corp. opened a free-to-use facility in an advanced data center near Tokyo on Wednesday where companies can bring their servers to test processing speeds and cooling.

JAKARTA -- Vietnam likely will take the biggest hit to growth among Southeast Asia's major economies in 2026, followed by Thailand, as the Iran war adds to the uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs, the World Bank says.

NEW DELHI -- Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is making the first high-level trip to New Delhi since his party came to power in February, holding talks with Indian counterparts to reset ties that have been severely strained over the past 18 months.

TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on Wednesday that she spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a phone call that lasted about 25 minutes. The two leaders had been expected to discuss the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

JAKARTA -- From recommendations for food delivery options, to suggestions for which hotel to book, Singapore-based ride-hailing company Grab is introducing new features to its app that are designed to make it more helpful, leveraging artificial intelligence to expand the reach of Grab's services in key Southeast Asian markets.

TOKYO -- Governments and businesses around Asia welcomed the U.S.-Iran ceasefire but cautioned that it was far from a settlement of the conflict and expressed concerns about when pre-war shipping conditions would return to the Strait of Hormuz.

TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on Wednesday that she spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a phone call that lasted about 25 minutes.

TOKYO -- Japan passed its largest ever annual budget on Tuesday on the back of record spending on defense and social security. The package for the fiscal year that started April 1 was formulated before the Iran war, and includes few measures to alleviate rising fuel prices. As such, there are already some voices within the government calling for a supplementary budget to help households.