Business trends
Japan stock buybacks surge as ample cash is put to work
Cuts to number of outstanding shares used to raise key gauges of investment
Materials
Commodities
Minor-metal stocks gain on fears of Beijing rare-earth ban
Japan and Australian miners seen as option if trade war cuts Chinese supply
Business trends
Elite chaebol tighten grip on South Korean economy
Five conglomerates took in 72% of profit among peers last year
Companies
Mitsubishi Estate plans first-ever stock buyback
Property developer pivots to investor returns as earnings improve
Toshiba in turmoil
Toshiba bows to activist pressure with board reshuffle
More outside directors seen protecting investor interests as company rebuilds
Business trends
Corporate Japan logs first profit dip in 3 years as China slows
Manufacturers' earnings nosedived in second half
Business deals
Tata Steel and Thyssenkrupp walk away from blockbuster merger
Indian and German steelmakers fear EU rejection on antitrust concerns
Companies
Exclusive: Hitachi seeks sale of core chemical unit
Japanese group sheds parts to refocus on infrastructure, automation
International relations
South Korea region seeks to tag Japanese firms as 'war criminals'
Ordinance would require schools to put stickers on Nikon and Panasonic products
