"Japanese Stocks Surge Near Record Highs Despite Recession Concerns"

Japan's Nikkei 225 closed just shy of the 40,000 record level, leading gains in Asia stocks, while China markets rose after factory data; South Korean exports surged on strong chip demand, but Japan's February factory activity contracted at its fastest pace in over three years; Paytm attempts to sever ties with its troubled payments bank business, while China's manufacturing activity contracted for the fifth straight month; India's third-quarter economic growth soared past expectations, and Bank of Japan's chief reportedly said the 2% inflation target is not yet in sight; Nasdaq closed at an all-time high, and bitcoin miners are tracking for monster February gains; and oil posted a monthly gain as OPEC+ is expected to extend cuts, and inflation rose as expected.