Concerns grew on April 20 that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran might not hold after the US said it had seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade and Iran vowed to retaliate.
Asian stocks rose on Monday, supported by modest gains in technology shares, although broader sentiment remained cautious amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
President Donald Trump has signaled that a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is imminent, suggesting that the summit could be "historic" as both nations coordinate on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and regional energy security.
Malaysia's economy grew 5.3% in the first quarter from a year earlier, official advance estimates showed on Friday, moderating from its pace at the end of 2025 as activity slowed in some key sectors.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Thursday that Japan will give out 50 million medical gloves to facilities facing shortages as the country grapples with the fallout of the war in the Middle East.
Japan should gradually raise interest rates and keep any fiscal stimulus targeted given robust domestic demand and steady wage gains, a senior International Monetary Fund official said on Thursday.