Tokyo / AFP Japanese exports to China rose for the first time in seven months in February, the government announced on Thursday, though analysts said the gain was distorted by the timing of the Lunar New Year holiday. China is Japan’s top trading partner, but the Asian giant’s economic growth has been slowing as Beijing tries to pull off a ...

Bangkok / AFP A jewellers’ strike in India, the world’s biggest gold consumer after China, to oppose a proposed excise tax has extended into its third week as the industry intensified protests by conducting rallies on Thursday in the capital, New Delhi. Bullion stores have been shut since March 2 to protest an excise levy of 1 percent on ornaments ...

TOKYO / AP Scandal-plagued Japanese electronics maker Toshiba Corp. sold its medical unit to Japanese camera maker Canon Inc. for 665.5 billion yen ($5.9 billion) on Thursday, both sides said. Separately, Toshiba said it reached an agreement with Chinese home appliance manufacturer Midea Group on selling its refrigerator and other so-called “white goods” business, targeting the end of March. Pricing ...