JAPAN

Expectations of more stimulus from other global central banks was also lifting markets.

If current trends continue, 2014 could be even hotter than previous record years, the World Meteorological Agency warned.

Toyota said it would recall 185,000 vehicles across 19 models including the Corolla and Alphard in Japan, and 5,000 in China.

Sony's PlayStation has evolved considerably from a gaming console to an all-in-one entertainment center.

Sony is celebrating the PlayStation's 20-year anniversary with a special edition PS4.

Takata has refused to accede to the NHTSA's demand even as automakers plan to initiate a joint inquiry into the company's air bags.

The growing reservations about Japan come at an awkward time for Abe as he has called an election on Dec. 14.

This comes as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tries to save his "Abenomics" policy with a parliamentary election.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 Index dipped on Monday, driven by losses following Japan's credit downgrade.

The downgrade comes less than two weeks before Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seeks re-election at a snap poll.

Seoul says it has no control over private groups putting up the memorials.

The Hayabusa2 space probe, aiming to return samples from an asteroid, is now scheduled to launch Monday.

About 14 million vehicles have so far been recalled globally due to problems linked to air bags manufactured by Takata.

The 0.2 percent rise beat economists' predictions, but was still significantly smaller than September's 2.9 percent jump.

Toyota's action follows a recall by rival Honda Motor Co for the same problem two weeks ago.

Abe dissolved parliament last week and called lower house elections for Dec. 14.

Members of the SAARC regional bloc are unlikely to make substantial progress on trade amid tensions on the subcontinent.

Asian stocks edged up on Wednesday after upbeat U.S. economic growth data calmed investor anxiety over a deteriorating global outlook, while the Australian dollar languished near four-year lows against the dollar.

Sony's competitors in the smartphones business, such as Apple, rely on the company's superior components to improve their products.

The six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program between the U.S., South Korea, China, Japan and Russia took place between 2003 and 2007.

Takata, which is the subject of a criminal investigation in the U.S. due to faulty air bags, is also facing over 20 class-action lawsuits.