Japan Snaps? China Crackles? Canada Pops?

TOKYO, May 13 (Reuters) - Japanese bank lending fell in April from a year earlier, matching the biggest decline in four years and showing that companies' funding needs remain weak despite an economic recovery and recent easing steps by the central bank.

To stimulate more spending in new business areas, the Bank of Japan said last month it would consider new ways to bolster growth and many analysts expect a new facility aimed at banks that make loans to areas with growth potential.