Japan's economy expanded at a rapid clip at the start of the year, the first hard evidence that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's sweeping stimulus is beginning to rouse consumers and businesses into action even as risks loomed in the horizon.

Japan's three largest banks on Wednesday reported healthy annual profits driven by their overseas operations, reduced costs and investment gains, but warned over the outlook for this year.

The U.S. dollar soared above 100 yen for the first time in more than four years Friday, driven by aggressive credit-easing aimed at reviving Japan's sluggish economy and improved U.S. economic figures.

Japan's automakers have wrapped up the latest earnings season on a high note, booking mostly healthy profits as a weak yen, cost-cutting and strong demand in the U.S. and Asia inflated their bottom line.

Japan's household spending surged in March at the fastest pace in nine years in a sign that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's bold efforts to end two decades of stagnation are lifting consumer confidence and setting the stage for an economic revival.

The Bank of Japan on Friday boosted its inflation and economic growth projections for the world's third-largest economy as it eyes an end to years of deflation.

Takehiko Nakao, a former Japan vice minister for finance, has been elected president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Philippines-based lender announced Friday.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Tuesday backed Japan's bid to end years of deflation, but called on Tokyo to step up efforts to shrink its huge debt pile.

Japan's participation in a massive Pacific trade agreement will create an enormous market for American exports and generate employment, a top U.S. trade official said Sunday.

Eleven countries negotiating a proposed free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific appear to be on the verge of formally inviting Japan into the talks, diplomatic and industry sources said on Thursday.