Japan’s exports fell for a second straight month in June, fueling fears that U.S. tariffs will halt the nation’s economic recovery and complicate the central bank’s policy plans, the Wall Street Journal reported. Exports fell 0.5% compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Finance on Thursday. That was an improvement from May’s 1.7% drop but well short of an LSEG-compiled forecast for a 0.5% increase. Japan’s shipments to the U.S. slid 11.4% from a year earlier in June, highlighting the impact of higher tariffs.

Indonesia’s central bank resumed its interest rate-cutting cycle, as cooling inflation provides ample room to support the economy, the Wall Street Journal reported. Bank Indonesia’s decision to cut its benchmark seven-day reverse repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% comes amid news of a trade deal with the U.S. that could ease the tariff overhang on the economy. Wednesday’s decision had been expected to be a close one, with domestic conditions and rupiah stability conducive to a cut but external uncertainties backing the case for caution.

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the U.S. will probably "live by the letter" on tariffs with Japan and may have another trade deal coming up with India, following his announcement of an accord with Indonesia on Tuesday, Reuters reported. "We have some pretty good deals to announce," Trump told reporters at the start of a meeting with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at the White House. He said he would also discuss trade issues with the Bahraini leader.

Indonesia’s president, Prabowo Subianto, confirmed on Wednesday the broad outlines of a trade agreement with the United States that was reached after what he called “tough negotiations” with Washington, the New York Times reported. Under the terms, which President Trump on Tuesday called a “great deal for everybody,” U.S. exports to Indonesia would face no tariffs, while Indonesian goods would be charged a tariff of 19 percent in the United States. Mr. Prabowo confirmed in brief remarks in Jakarta that the two nations had “finally” reached an agreement.

China’s economy showed resilience in a turbulent first half of the year, remaining on track to hit its official growth target for the year despite President Trump’s shifting tariff assault, the Wall Street Journal reported. China said that its gross domestic product expanded 5.2% in the second quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier, slowing a touch from the 5.4% pace set in the first three months of the year and coming in line with economists’ expectations.

Singapore's economic growth is likely to slow in the second half of the year despite a better-than-expected performance in the first half because of uncertainties over tariffs, the head of its central bank said on Tuesday, Reuters reported. Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) managing director Chia Der Jiun, speaking during the release of the central bank's annual report, said this was in line with the central bank's expectations of slower global economic activity and weaker external demand. Chia said there was considerable uncertainty given the range of potential outcomes.

South Korea's first-generation online video service (OTT) platform Watcha is in danger of going through corporate restructuring, Chosun Biz reported. This comes as Inlight Ventures, one of the investors, has requested court administration. Due to prolonged deficits, it has become difficult for the investor to recover the invested funds, prompting the creditor to directly request the restructuring process. Watcha plans to request the withdrawal of corporate restructuring through negotiations with investors. However, the situation is challenging.

Liquidators are probing how money for a $15 million Queensland government project was transferred from the contract-winning cybersecurity company to its founder's bank account within 24 hours of the funds arriving, ABC.net.au reported. The funds transfer to Cryptoloc Holdings founder Jamie Wilson, who once wooed the state's top politicians and pop stars, is under investigation as a potential "fraudulent" transaction, according to a liquidator's report. The move is the latest shock from a disastrous cybersecurity tender won just before last year's state election by Cryptoloc Holdings.