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• Paulson: U.S. Housing Credit Risks Contained

  U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said on Tuesday that a weakened housing market will not have a major impact on the U.S. financial sector, which he described as quite healthy.

• Japan's Finance Minister Is Watching Yen, Stocks Closely

  Japanese Finance Minister Koji Omi said on Tuesday he would closely watch a recent rise in the yen and falling stock prices, providing a somewhat stronger statement than his mantra that markets should reflect economic fundamentals.

• Japan Firms Boost Fourth-Quarter Capital Spending

  Japanese firms' capital spending in October-December rose more than expected from a year earlier, underscoring the view that continued strength in the corporate sector is supporting the economy's steady recovery.

• Great Opportunity Or Blow Up For Hedge Funds?

  What role are hedge funds playing in the market meltdown's aftermath? Three "Power Lunch" guests, who cover the field, weighed in. Trader Monthly Associate Editor Andrew Barber noted that "anecdotally" he's heard that "premium sellers were punished" by Tuesday's market drop.

• Market Shock: Analysts Cite Yen, Naive Investors

  

  Many of those seeking reasons for Tuesday's market meltdown have turned from China to Japan. Two forex experts told CNBC's Liz Claman why the global shock may have more to do with Tokyo than Shanghai -- or New York.

• Japan's January Consumer Price Inflation Grinds to a Halt

  Japanese core consumer price rises ground to a halt in January, matching the consensus forecast and reinforcing expectations that the Bank of Japan will only tighten credit at a snail's pace.

• China Makes A Market

  Government efforts to cool China's stock market may rattle global investors for a day now and then but they may help in the long run.

• Carry on up the Carry Trade

  With apologies to Joan Sims and Sid James. I wish the line was originally mine, but Jeremy Stretch, our currency analyst from Rabobank, should get the credit for the allusion this morning to the Pinewood comedies of the 1960s.

• BOJ Raises Interest Rates by a Quarter Point to Decade High of 0.5%

  The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point to 0.5% Wednesday, the highest level in more than 10 years.

• BOJ to Kick Off Meeting, Traders Split on Rate Hike

  Traders remain jittery about the possibility of an interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan as the central bank kicks off a two-day policy meeting on Tuesday, though markets are still split on the chances of a rate rise.

• Japan's Economy Grows 1.2% in 4th Quarter, Renews Rate Hike Talk

  Japan's economy grew a stronger-than-expected 1.2% in the last three months of 2006, marking the fastest growth in nearly three years and reviving expectations of an interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan next week.

• Honda to Recall 45,335 Civic Hybrids Worldwide

  Honda Motor said on Tuesday it would recall 45,335 Civic hybrid cars globally to fix a faulty voltage converter that could cause a short circuit and stop the engine.

• Japan Data Suggests Price Growth to Remain Tame

  Japanese wholesale prices rose less than expected in January from a year earlier, a sign that price growth remains tame, and investors now await GDP data later this week to see whether the Bank of Japan is likely to raise interest rates next week.

• Hedge Funds:Turning Current Yen Into Old Ruble?

  Remember the collapse of the Russian ruble in 1998--that led to the near-collapse of hedge fund giant Long Term Capital Management? Recent trends in the Japanese yen have investors worried that the currency is destined for a similar fate as befell the ruble.

• Nissan Operating Profit Dips, Lowers Forecast

  Nissan Motor  reported a bigger-than-expected 23% fall in quarterly net profit on Friday, hurt by a sluggish recovery in U.S. sales, and lowered its full-year forecasts despite a weaker yen.

• Sony Profit Drops, But Company Boosts Outlook

  Japanese electronics giant Sony reported a drop in quarterly profit Tuesday, but boosted its earnings outlook for the full year.

• Wal-Mart Japan Unit Sees Wider Net Loss in 2006

  Wal-Mart Stores' Japanese subsidiary, Seiyu, on Tuesday forecast a wider net loss for 2006 due to sluggish sales, making it its fifth straight year of losses. Seiyu estimated its group net loss at 55.8 billion yen ($459 million) instead of its earlier projection of a 54.5 billion yen loss for the year ended December. The new forecast is in line with a consensus projection by four analysts for 55.6 billion yen, according to Reuters Estimates.

• Japan Household Spending Drops, Interest Rate Hike in Doubt

  Japan's household spending fell more than expected and the jobless rate rose slightly in December, underlining sluggishness in consumption and raising the hurdle for the Bank of Japan to lift interest rates next month.

• Japanese Consumer Prices Inch Up, Rate Hike Is in Doubt

  Japanese consumer prices rose less than expected in December from a year ago, adding to doubts over the Bank of Japan's ability to raise interest rates next month, sending the yen lower and bond futures to a one-month high.

• Japan December Trade Surplus Comes in Below Expectations

  Japan's trade surplus rose a weaker-than-expected 22.8% in December from a year earlier amid concerns that a slowdown in the U.S. economy may hurt Japanese exports.