Bloomberg - Japanese stocks climbed, with the Topix (TPX) Index rising a third day, as the yen traded near a one-week low versus the dollar with the U.S. and Russia to continue talks over Ukraine. Crude oil extended declines after data showed American inventories rose a seventh week.

The Topix added 0.3 percent by 9:22 a.m. in Tokyo while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped from a 5 1/2-year high. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures were little changed. Japan’s currency lost 0.1 percent to 102.44 per dollar after touching the weakest level since Feb. 26 yesterday, while currency volatility abated.

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