Japan’s exports rose for a fifth straight month in February, data showed on Wednesday, possibly helped by some stockpiling amid growing concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies.

The Bank of Japan kept interest rates steady on Wednesday in a widely expected move, as policymakers chose to spend more time gauging how prospects of higher U.S. tariffs would affect the export-focused economy.

Asian stocks were subdued on Wednesday and gold hovered near record highs as economic worries and a shifting geopolitical landscape kept risk appetite in check, while the yen was slightly weaker after the Bank of Japan held rates as expected.

Oil prices fell on Wednesday after Russia agreed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal that Moscow and Kyiv stop attacking each other’s energy infrastructure temporarily, which could lead to more Russian oil entering global markets.

The yen fell on Wednesday after the Bank of Japan kept interest rates unchanged as widely expected, while the dollar struggled to regain some lost ground ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision later in the day.

China’s State Council unveiled on Sunday what it called a "special action plan" to boost domestic consumption, featuring measures including increasing residents’ income and establishing a childcare subsidy scheme.