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TOKYO – Japans economy may get another lifeline soon.

Faced with meager growth and a strong yen, the countrys leaders are moving toward injecting more stimulus measures to fight a sharp slowdown in momentum. A new package would set Japan apart from the rest of the developed world, which is winding down stimulus steps even as worries grow about a cooling global economy.

Gross domestic product data earlier this week showed Japan grew at an annualized rate of just 0.4 percent in the April-June period, down from 4.4 percent the previous quarter. As a result, the country lost its place to China as the worlds No. 2 economy.

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TOKYO – Toyotas poor handling of its massive global recalls has highlighted a glaring weakness in Japans otherwise sophisticated corporate culture: crisis management know-how.

Major companies have detailed plans for dealing with killer earthquakes or terrorist attacks but are largely unprepared to deal with disasters of their own making like product flaws that could lead to injuries or even death.

Toyota, a brand-name once synonymous with quality, has come under fire for being slow and indecisive in responding to the safety problems that ultimately led to recalls of 8.5 million vehicles worldwide.

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NEW YORK: US and European stocks eked out gains on Monday, lifted by defensive shares, while the euro edged up from 8-1/2-month lows despite persistent worries about the fiscal health of highly indebted nations in the euro zone.

A modest rebound on Wall Street helped pushed the euro to a session high above $1.37, although sentiment toward the single currency remained broadly negative, analysts said. US stocks edged higher after results at drugstore operator CVS Caremark Corp. and toy maker Hasbro Inc. topped expectations and both companies raised their outlooks. Rising defensive stocks such as drug makers helped European shares snap three days of losses, but worries about Greece and other debt-laden European countries kept gains in check.

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NEW YORK: Most global shares slumped on Thursday after reports cast doubts on the US economic recovery and the health of the UK banking system, while fiscal worries elsewhere in Europe dented the euro versus the dollar.

Earnings reports also helped send US stocks lower.

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NEW YORK/LONDON – European and US markets rose Friday after retail sales data showed American consumers are picking up their spending – a key ingredient for economic recovery ahead of the holiday season.

European indexes had opened strongly after Asian stocks strengthened on a big improvement in Chinas exports that pointed to rising global demand that could lift other trade-reliant economies.

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HONG KONG – Asian stock markets closed out a robust July with more gains Friday as better-than-expected earnings at companies from Japan to the US reinforced hopes of stronger global growth. European markets were weaker in early trade.

Every major Asian market turned higher with Chinese and Indian markets leading the way. Crude oil prices resumed their upward trek to trade above $67 a barrel.

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