(For full crisis coverage, double click on [nCRISIS])

* Chrysler files for bankruptcy, signs deal with Fiat

* Obama says U.S. automakers "going to come back"

* Surveys back up Fed assessment that recession easing

* BoJ improves crisis outlook but cuts year GDP view

* Global stocks log big gains for April despite flu threat (Updates markets to close)

By Ros Krasny and Leika Kihara

CHICAGO/TOKYO, April 30 (Reuters) - Chrysler filed for bankruptcy protection on Thursday, the first such move by a major U.S. automaker, taking the shine off fresh hints the U.S. and global downturns may be moderating.

But a widening of the swine flu outbreak mostly failed to subdue investors, who saw signs of an economic rebirth in a drop in U.S. jobless claims, upbeat reports from the American heartland and better-than-expected corporate profits.