Most Asian markets slipped on Wednesday as investor worries about monetary tightening were inflamed by strong US jobs data. But stocks in Korea edged up slightly

"We will change [these old rules] promptly," Digital Affairs Minister Tara Kono was quoted as saying, as he outlined plans to move government data online.

Toyota now plans to outlay $3.9 billion on an EV battery plant in North Carolina, it said on Wednesday, partly because of rising consumer demand.

China stocks slipped again on Tuesday amid concern about Covid restrictions, but markets in Japan, Australia and India all climbed higher. Eyes are now on US data on Friday.

Bilateral deal with South Korea is a move to attract investment to develop the electric vehicle and batteries industry, while most Southeast Asian nations, China and Australia are in RCEP

Asian shares fell across the board on Monday as thoughts of more US and EU rate hikes stirred fears of a global recession and shot the dollar sharply higher

Korean companies are concerned the new US law restricts which companies can receive US subsidies for making electric vehicles and where firms can source battery materials.

Move comes as steelmakers around the world are under pressure to cut CO2 emissions to tackle climate change. Steelmaking generates up to 11% of global carbon emissions

Kishida said Tokyo would work to ensure grain shipments to Africa amid a global shortage. He also warned of the threat to the world's rules-based order since the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Markets fell in Hong Kong and Shanghai amid the bleak economic outlook in China, but shares edged up in Australia and India

Taipower spokesperson Wu Chin-chung said no more business would be done with Russia due to its war in Ukraine. It will get coal from several other countries instead.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said that from Sept 7 visitors to Japan will no longer need to undergo pre-departure Covid tests