Tokyo — Asian stocks edged up and the safe-haven yen was broadly lower against the dollar on Thursday amid perceived progress on North Korea issues, although equity gains were limited after a tech-led retreat on Wall Street. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.05%. Australian stocks dipped 0.1%, Japan’s Nikkei rose 1% and South Korea’s Kospi added 0.1%. Wall Street closed lower after a rocky session on Wednesday as gains in consumer staples and healthcare were offset by a sharp drop in Amazon shares and a continuing slide in technology stocks. "Fears of a global trade war have eased, although concerns still linger about the US technology sector," said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Asset Management in Tokyo. "But equities in Asia will receive support from an easing of tensions regarding North Korea, with countries like Japan seeking a summit," Ichikawa added. Japan has sounded out the North Korean government about a bilateral ...
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