Japan Political Pressure

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan ticked down 0.2 percent, slipping further from Monday's four-month high.

An outspoken Japanese pundit who claims he was pulled off the air under pressure from the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday ruling lawmakers are exerting unusual pressure on the media.

With investors choosing discretion as the better part of valour, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was barely changed, after a flat performance on Wednesday.

The yen plumbed a 2-1/2 year low against the dollar on Monday as Japan's central bank faced relentless political pressure to deliver bold stimulus, while Asian stocks got off to subdued start with Tokyo closed for a public holiday.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan ticked down 0.2 percent, slipping further from Monday's four-month high.

An outspoken Japanese pundit who claims he was pulled off the air under pressure from the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday ruling lawmakers are exerting unusual pressure on the media.

With investors choosing discretion as the better part of valour, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was barely changed, after a flat performance on Wednesday.

The yen plumbed a 2-1/2 year low against the dollar on Monday as Japan's central bank faced relentless political pressure to deliver bold stimulus, while Asian stocks got off to subdued start with Tokyo closed for a public holiday.