JAPAN

Bankruptcy Debt Climbs: Debt from bankrupt companies surged in January, with businesses increasingly unable to make ends meet as the recession grinds on, a debt research company said. Debt from business failures rose 53.1% from December’s figure, to $4.16 billion, while their number rose 17.9% to 1,104, Tokyo Commerce and Industry Research Co. said. January showed increases in bankruptcies for construction, manufacturing and retail businesses compared with a year ago.