The New Year’s Eve countdown event at Shibuya’s scramble crossing, a hugely popular tourist spot in Tokyo, has been canceled for the fifth consecutive year. The decision was made by the event ...

U.S. futures and oil prices were lower. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 was up 0.6% and closed at 39,605.80. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.1% to 8,214.50. Chinese stocks fell on Friday trading.