Tokyo's inflation held steady in November, keeping the Bank of Japan on track for an interest rate hike in coming months. Consumer prices excluding fresh food in the capital advanced 2.8% this month from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Friday, as gains in electricity costs accelerated while those for processed food slowed. That was a tad stronger than the median economist forecast of 2.7% and matched the result for the previous month.

And - China's real estate sector suffered another blow after China Vanke Co. proposed delaying repayment on a local bond, sending some of its notes plunging to record lows and fueling concerns about Beijing's willingness to support even the largest distressed developers. For more on what is moving the markets in Asia, we spoke to Paul Dobson, Bloomberg's Executive Editor for Asia Markets. 

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