Chinese trade surplus rose to $31.99 billion in October, up from $27.67 billion in the prior month, helped by the significant jump in exports, which added 11.6%, while imports rose 2.4%.
Japanese consumer confidence fell to 39.7 last month from 40.1 in September after a temporary rise in August, a sign economic uncertainty weighed on sentiment. At the same time, analysts' had expected household mood to rise 39.7 last month.
Japan's lawmakers have approved a crucial bill that will ensure that the government does not run out of money at the end of this month.
Non-performing loans, or NPLs, among Chinese lenders have increased for four consecutive quarters — the longest period of asset-quality deterioration since 2004, when authorities began to release such figures.