Stocks and currencies were muted in Asia on the Good Friday holiday, while investors kept to the sidelines ahead of key US inflation data.
Japanese stocks advanced amid a weakening yen on Wednesday while Chinese stocks slipped, with overall regional trading lacking strong direction in a holiday-shortened week that ends with a key reading of U.S. inflation.
Oil prices fell for a second day on Wednesday after a report that crude stockpiles in the U.S., the world's biggest oil user, surged and on signs major producers are unlikely to change their output policy at a technical meeting next week.
Japan's land prices rose at the fastest pace in 33 years in 2023 and returned to the level seen before the coronavirus crisis, a government survey showed, another sign of an improving economic outlook as the nation plots a path out of years of stagnation.
Asian countries are much better positioned to weather economic storms than they were in the past, thanks to strong foreign reserves and sound financial-market development, a top Japanese central banker said.
Malaysia and South Korea on Tuesday officially resumed negotiation on a free trade agreement to boost bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.