Media & Entertainment

Blackpink has driven ticket sales of K-pop concerts in Japan. (YG Entertainment)
Media & Entertainment

K-pop concert attendance in Japan surpasses pre-COVID levels

Looser visa rules expected to bring more performances by foreign entertainers

11 February 2024
The Tower Records Shibuya store in Tokyo has greatly expanded its cassette tape section.　
Life

Cassette tapes are making a surprise comeback in Japan

Streaming generation charmed by the low-fi warmth of analog audio

11 February 2024
"Our brain loves stories. It loves simple stories," Swedish psychiatrist Anders Hansen said in an interview with Nikkei Asia. (Photo by Stefan Tell)
Society

Social media divides us but it's not our fault, says psychiatrist

Anders Hansen explains how social networks exploit the brain's inherent weakness

10 February 2024
Seiji Ozawa conducts the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra during its traditional New Year's concert on Jan. 1, 2002.
Obituaries

Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa dies at age 88

He was the first Asian music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

9 February 2024
Art group teamLab uses cutting-edge technology to immerse visitors in its creations. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) 
Media & Entertainment

Digital art collective teamLab unveils dazzling new Tokyo site

Exhibition in swish Azabudai Hills complex expected to lure tourists

9 February 2024
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton exposed his ignorance with his recent grilling of TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. (Pool via Reuters) 
Opinion

TikTok CEO has questions to answer. His race is not one

Senate grilling of Singaporean executive undermines U.S. credibility

8 February 2024
The Switch, launched nearly seven years ago, has been one of Nintendo’s most successful gaming devices, with total sales of around 140 million units as of December. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu) 
Media & Entertainment

Nintendo raises full-year profit forecast for second straight quarter

Investor focus shifts to new console expectations as shares near historic high

6 February 2024
A woman puts a newspaper in a plastic bag at a newsstand in Hong Kong in 2023. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Hong Kong security law

Under China scrutiny Hong Kong media slips into self-censorship

Nikkei analysis shows references to distinct identity vanishing from editorials

4 February 2024
Fujiko F. Fujio Pro will open its Doraemon Racing Game on Roblox in March. (Fujiko F. Fujio Pro)
Media & Entertainment

Doraemon, Kitty, other Japanese characters debut on Roblox

Owners seek global recognition via massive online platform with 70m daily users

3 February 2024
Indonesia's creativity in literature is casting a spotlight on developing more opportunities for intellectual property adaptation. (Source photos by Devin Jimie)
Media & Entertainment

Netflix drama 'Cigarette Girl' highlights Indonesian IP adaptation

Country's trove of literary creativity offers business potential for publishers

3 February 2024
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries has been negotiating the possible merger of its entertainment business with Walt Disney Company India. 
Business trends

India's Reliance stands to benefit from failure of Sony-Zee deal

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani is hoping to create India's largest TV business

1 February 2024
Financial woes have led to CNN Philippines announcing it would discontinue operations this week. (Source image from CNN Philippines website)
Media & Entertainment

CNN Philippines to stop broadcasting after 9-year run

Financial losses bring about demise of English-language TV news channel

29 January 2024
Takarazuka Revue, the all-female Japanese musical theater troupe, was hit by the suicide of a young actress in 2023. (Photo by Sayo Yamamoto) 
Opinion

Suffocating hierarchies don't just plague Japanese entertainment

Death of Takarazuka actress holds lessons for companies in changing environments

29 January 2024
Torchlight's collection of cameras and sensors create virtual scenery for directors and other creators to test. (Torchlight)
Media & Entertainment

Sony's virtual studio aims to cut costs of Hollywood blockbusters

Torchlight facility brings ideas to reality before the filming process begins

27 January 2024
The market has welcomed the deal, with JKN's share price up 81% from Friday's closing as of Wednesday morning.
Media & Entertainment

Thailand's JKN sells 50% share in Miss Universe for $16m

Sale to Mexican billionaire helps company resolve bankruptcy woes

24 January 2024
Netflix reported Tuesday that it now has 260.28 million paid subscribers worldwide, a new record for the company. 
Technology

Netflix hits new subscriber record, spurred by Europe and Asia

U.S. streaming giant added over 7 million paid users in Asia-Pacific in 2023

24 January 2024
Sony's Indian subsidiary and Zee Entertainment were at loggerheads over who would head the new company after the agreed merger.
Business deals

Sony nixes $10bn merger with Indian media group Zee

Parties failed to agree on CEO of new company despite 2 years of talks

22 January 2024
Ko Sung-kook operates a popular YouTube channel offering political commentary. (Photo by Steven Borowiec)
Politics

South Korea's YouTubers emerge as force driving political rancor

Recent violent attack and upcoming elections draw scrutiny of influential platform

22 January 2024
South Korean star Son Heung-min, left, and Japan's Kaoru Mitoma, right, are playing in the 24-nation showcase. (Source photos by Getty Images and Reuters) 
Sports

Japan and South Korea eye football prize as Asian Cup kicks off

Favored duo will be on high alert for giant killers at the Qatar showcase

11 January 2024
Sony Group's Indian subsidiary and Zee Entertainment Enterprises agreed to a merger in 2021.
10 January 2024
Hayao Miyazaki's "The Boy And The Heron" is Japan's first winner of a Golden Globe Award.
Media & Entertainment

Hayao Miyazaki wins Golden Globe for 'The Boy and the Heron'

Celebrated director's semi-autobiographical film wins for best animated feature

8 January 2024
Tourgoers noticed the nightscape of Kawasaki's industrial district resembled the fictitious city of Midgar in Final Fantasy VII. (Photo by Hirosumi Tomoyama)
Travel & Leisure

Final Fantasy fans awed by industrial landscapes on Tokyo outskirts

Themed night cruises around Kawasaki were part of efforts to revive tourism

7 January 2024
A Gramedia shop inside conglomerate Kompas Gramedia's office compound in Jakarta. The company operates a network of over 100 such stores nationwide. (Photo by Devin Jimie)
Media & Entertainment

Indonesian book giant turns to tech to fight piracy

Kompas Gramedia unit sees promise in blockchain to defend intellectual property

6 January 2024
Sony Group CEO Kenichiro Yoshida holds a briefing on the group's entertainment business, which accounts for 60% of its projected fiscal 2023 operating profit. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Media & Entertainment

Sony harnesses games, music and movies in race with Netflix, Disney

Japanese group's intangible assets give it shot at world's top entertainment company

4 January 2024
The success of the Mario movie led to increased sales of games featuring the character. (Photo by Kento Hirashima) 
Media & Entertainment

Nintendo shares hit record high on game and movie dual strategy

Switch hardware and software sales climb 2%, buoyed by Zelda and Mario

30 December 2023