PRE-MARKET JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCKS NEWS: Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) is set to host AMD (AMD) CEO Lisa Su at its production facilities, while the companies are expected to discuss potential cooperation in the foundry segment

Hitachi Ltd. (6501 JT) - Co. unveiled its 800VDC power and control architecture integrated into the Vera Rubin DSX reference design, compatible with NVIDIA Omniverse DSX Blueprint for AI factory rack systems. (Newswires)

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (9104 JT) - Co. is considering a stock split following a rise in its share price, according to the CFO. (Nikkei)

Mitsui & Co. (8031 JT) - Co. agreed to sell its co-ownership stake in the Osaka Mitsui-Bussan Building and related land to SMFL MIRAI Partners and expects to record a gain in Q4 FY ending March 31. (Newswires)

Oji Holdings (3861 JT) - Co. will scrap lump-sum retirement benefits for new employees from this spring and instead offer higher salaries during employment. (Nikkei)

Suzuki Motor (7269 JT) - Co. is urging longstanding Japanese suppliers to establish operations in India to improve vehicle quality. (Nikkei)

Automakers - Nissan (7201 JT) and Toyota Motor (7203 JT) are trimming production amid concerns over parts supply disruptions linked to the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. (Nikkei)

Geopolitical - China's Coast Guard said it had to expel a Japanese boat that intruded into waters in proximity to the Senkaku Islands. (Newswires)

US and Japan are reportedly set to agree on the joint development of rare earths, copper, and lithium at a summit on Thursday. It was also reported that they are to jointly develop AI shipbuilding robots, with Japan aiming to double shipbuilding output by 2035, and has secured a USD 100mln budget for the joint venture. Furthermore, Japan plans to discuss increasing imports of US crude oil during Thursday's summit. (Nikkei)

First wave of corporate responses to the Shunto wage demands is expected today, while Japanese Trade Union Confederation Rengo will announce the results of the first round of wage negotiations on March 23rd. (Newswires)

Korean Air (003490 KS) - Co. will extend the suspension of its Incheon-Dubai flights through April 19th due to the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East. (Yonhap)

Samsung C&T (028260 KS) - Co. secured a USD 3bln green ammonia supply deal with India’s Reliance Industries. (Yonhap)

Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) - Co. is set to host AMD (AMD) CEO Lisa Su at its production facilities, while industry watchers said the two companies are expected to discuss potential cooperation in the foundry segment beyond memory chips. (Yonhap)

SK Hynix (000660 KS) - Co.’s cashable assets rose to KRW 34.9tln in 2025 from KRW 14.1tln Y/Y, while debt fell to KRW 22.2tln from KRW 22.6tln. (Yonhap)

Energy - South Korea’s government is moving to secure alternative naphtha import sources amid supply concerns. (Newswires)

Other News – South Korea is to provide KRW 1.5tln in financial support for smaller companies. (Newswires)