PRE-MARKET JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCKS NEWS: Shin-Etsu Chemical (4063 JT) plans to invest USD 3.4bln to expand US output of raw materials used in the production of PVC resin for residential plumbing and other applications

Honda Motor (7267 JT) - Co. is reportedly set to begin selling China-made EVs in Japan as early as spring, becoming the first Japanese automaker to offer Chinese-built EVs in the domestic market. (Nikkei)

Orix (8591 JT) - Co. agreed to sell a scaffolding rental subsidiary to US investment firm Carlyle Group for JPY 95.8bln. (Nikkei)

Shin-Etsu Chemical (4063 JT) - Co. plans to invest USD 3.4bln to expand US output of raw materials used in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin for residential plumbing and other applications. (Nikkei)

Sugi Holdings (7649 JT) - Co. has established a joint venture in Mongolia to tap into the country’s expanding beauty products market. (Nikkei)

Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JT) - Co. is reshaping its US operations ahead of a leadership transition in June, cutting 400 jobs while directing investment toward blood products and other priority areas. (Nikkei)

Tokyo Century (8439 JT) - Co. will spend roughly JPY 20bln to acquire Bargain Car Rentals, one of Australia’s largest car rental operators. (Nikkei)

Materials - Japanese producers of strong, lightweight carbon fibre are pivoting toward higher-margin offerings as Chinese competitors rapidly gain global market share. (Nikkei)

Tech - Japan is preparing to broaden support for publicly listed startups operating in AI and robotics. (Nikkei)

Trade - Japan and the US are weighing a nuclear power plant and a copper refining facility as potential projects in the second phase of Japan’s USD 550bln investment and loan pledge in the US. (Nikkei)

LG Uplus (032640 KS) - Google (GOOG) partnered with Co. to build a data centre in South Korea and expand AI and cloud capabilities. (ChosunBiz)

Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) - Co. confirmed a DRAM price increase of more than 100% for the first quarter, up from roughly 70% negotiated in January. (ET)