Electronics

Advanced power semiconductors reduce energy loss, promising to let electric vehicles drive farther with smaller batteries.
Electronics

Fuji Electric to ramp up output of next-gen power chips for EVs

SiC semiconductors can withstand higher voltages than silicon-based products

27 July 2022
Now that the smartphone market has matured, Apple will likely target the automobile sector, if its patent applications are any indication. (Source photos by Reuters and Takuya Imai)
Automobiles

Apple's patent history reveals a major push into autos

Applications for self-driving and connected-car technology rise rapidly

25 July 2022
Daikin's factory in suburban Houston. The U.S. is expected to phase in tougher energy efficiency regulations for air conditioners under President Joe Biden.
Climate Change

Daikin to build $230m plant for energy-saving A/Cs in Mexico

Japanese manufacturer expands capacity to meet rising U.S. demand

23 July 2022
Nintendo Live 2022 will showcase games on the company's Switch system. (Photo by Wataru Ito)
Media & Entertainment

Nintendo to restart live gaming event in October after COVID pause

First festival in 3 years comes as company struggles to make enough Switches

22 July 2022
Stream article image
#techAsia

Display makers dip into chips and a startup struggles to deliver

The inside story on the Asia tech trends that matter, from Nikkei Asia and the Financial Times

21 July 2022
Fujifilm will unload a Shanghai unit that makes printers and toner cartridges for the Chinese market.
Business deals

Fujifilm to sell Shanghai printer unit to China's EVA

New parent eyes sales of advanced equipment to Chinese government

21 July 2022
Nidec founder and CEO Shigenobu Nagamori has blamed President and Chief Operating Officer Jun Seki for the company's weak performance. (Screenshot from Nidec's website) 
Companies

Nidec profit stays flat as Shanghai lockdowns, inflation hit

Founder CEO vows turnaround with tough cost control, EV push

20 July 2022
Imports of Russian palladium have plunged as more companies look for other suppliers.
Ukraine war

Battery makers seek price hikes on lack of Russia rare metals

Ukraine war disruption pushes lithium, titanium, palladium to new highs

18 July 2022
Tesla's steadily rising sales are fueling demand for electric-vehicle batteries.
Automobiles

Panasonic to build $4bn EV battery plant for Tesla in U.S.

High-capacity 4680 cells to help Japan maker compete with China, South Korea

14 July 2022
Credit card transaction fees in Japan are high by international standards.
Retail

Casio, Worldline team up to cut credit card fees for Japan retailers

Exclusive: New payment service takes aim at widespread 3%-plus charge

14 July 2022
Oppo and other Chinese companies have been dominating India's smartphone sector.
Electronics

India says China phone maker Oppo evaded $550m in tax

Accusation follows string of raids on Chinese smartphone companies

13 July 2022
Sony Group is targeting pro esports gamers with its Inzone brand of headsets and other devices.
Interview

Sony wants to be the Nike of PC gaming gear: executive

Inzone monitors and headsets will complement PlayStation, says Kazuo Kii

10 July 2022
A Vivo store in Ahmedabad, India. Chinese smartphone vendors account for more than 60% of the Indian market.
Electronics

India accuses Chinese smartphone maker Vivo of tax fraud

Company said to have operated scheme to take $8bn out of country

8 July 2022
Samsung's expected results for the second quarter showed some weakness in comparison with the previous three months, with operating profit poised to fall 0.9% and revenue dropping 1.0%.
Technology

Samsung fights supply chain disruption for 11% Q2 profit gain

Quarter-on-quarter decline signals potential trouble with 2nd-half chip demand

7 July 2022
Daikin believes it can make inroads into Europe by opening a plant in NATO-member Poland.
Electronics

Daikin to build energy-saving heater plant in Poland for $295m

Japan appliance maker eyes decarbonization opportunity, shift from Russian fuels

7 July 2022
Nintendo is unable to make enough Switch systems to keep up with demand. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
Electronics

Sold out: Nintendo Switch sales fall 33% in Japan amid supply snag

Sony PlayStation 5 logs 26% drop; companies risk losing out on holiday sales

6 July 2022
Kaga Electronics looks to spend $7 million over five years on a new factory in Malaysia. (Photo courtesy of Kaga Electronics)
Semiconductors

Japanese electronics supplier Kaga moves to larger plant in Malaysia

New factory builds on expansion plans as pandemic, chip headwinds rattle industry

4 July 2022
The price increases on popular Apple products, including the iPhone, are expected to take effect in Japan on July 1. (Photo by Arisa Moriyama)
Inflation

Apple hikes prices on products in Japan, with iPhone 13 up 19%

Weakening yen threatens to sap company's overseas earnings

1 July 2022
Sharp had sold a majority stake in LCD panel maker Sakai Display Products to an asset manager under Foxconn founder Terry Gou. (Photo by Kento Awashima)
Business deals

Sharp regains ownership of key LCD plant for $300m

Stock swap dilutes Foxconn's stake in Sharp to less than 50%

28 June 2022
A production line at OKK turns out spindles, the part of a machining center to which tools are attached. (Photo by Yuji Ohira)
Electronics

Nidec CEO uses his Midas touch for machine tool unit turnaround

Japanese motor maker diversifies with eye on $74bn sales by 2030

25 June 2022
Sharp was acquired by Apple supplier Hon Hai Precision Industry in 2016 amid financial struggles.
Companies

Sharp to make English its official language in 2023

Foxconn unit eyes greater overseas push under new president

24 June 2022
A decadelong conflict between Samsung Electronics and LG Group over OLED technology has ended up benefiting Chinese rivals. (Photo courtesy of Samsung Display)
Electronics

Samsung-LG court battle ends in win for Chinese OLED panel makers

BOE expands footprint with South Korean engineers, evoking China's rise in LCDs

22 June 2022
Headphone-wearing revelers dance at a pre-pandemic "silent disco" event in Poland. 
Technology

New Japan audio tech packs sound of trillions and trillions of CDs

Asahi Kasei unit aims to bring streaming music quality closer to live performances

18 June 2022
Sony's global market share for image sensors, used in such products as smartphone cameras, slid from 53% in fiscal 2019 to 43% in fiscal 2021.
Electronics

Sony steps up image sensor tech, targeting 60% market share

Japanese group eyes smartphone cameras in fending off Samsung, other rivals

18 June 2022
Sources say Samsung has told suppliers that the company needs to closely review its inventory levels of both components and final products. 
Supply Chain

Samsung temporarily reduces procurement amid inventory pressure

South Korean tech titan asks component makers and others to delay shipments

16 June 2022