Scallop exports to the U.S. and Southeast Asia have surged. (Photo by Takumi Sasaki)
Food & Beverage

Japan scallop prices rebound as exports expand beyond China

Domestic consumption campaign also fuels recovery after Beijing's import ban

25 August 2024
Female workers in Bangladesh's garment factories face numerous pressures and hurdles.
Society

Bangladeshi women in garment industry held back by knowledge gap

'Magic bullet' of education seen as key to opening up managerial opportunities

25 August 2024
The Suzuki Motor team competes in the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race. (Photo by Toshihide Takeda)
Automobiles

Suzuki gets back into motorcycle racing with a green mission

Team using sustainable fuel and parts overcomes bumpy ride

25 August 2024
The author on his latest adventure, a 3,000-kilometer ride through Sumatra, the largest island fully inside Indonesian territory. This photo was taken at sunset at a viewpoint overlooking Lake Maninjau in West Sumatra province. (All photos courtesy of Ian Lloyd Neubauer)
Life

From Tibet to PNG, touring Asia-Pacific on two wheels

Adventure biking yields a unique view of a diverse region

25 August 2024
A spokesperson explains the tie-up between Walt Disney and Epic Games during the D23 fan event in Anaheim, California, on Aug. 10. Disney has invested $1.5 billion in Epic Games and licenses special edition character costumes and items for the online game Fortnite. (Photo by Rei Nakafuji)
Media & Entertainment

Disney sees digital engagement as way into new markets, brand officer says

Entertainment giant looks to technology to bridge geographical, generational divides

25 August 2024
The Nintendo Museum will offer visitors eight interactive experiences and a gift shop selling exclusive products.
Media & Entertainment

From 'karuta' cards to Switch: Nintendo puts its history in a museum

Interactive space to open in Kyoto in October in a repurposed 1969 factory

25 August 2024
The Philippine central bank has approved four new licenses for digital bank operators as more Filipinos go cashless.
Finance

Philippines eases digital bank cap as industry fights for profits

Central bank offers 4 new licenses, but experts see credit risk 'challenge'

25 August 2024
Seafood at a market in Shanghai in August 2023. (Photo by Tomoko Wakasugi)
Trade

China has turned to South America since banning Japan seafood a year ago

Beijing adopted policy in response to release of wastewater from Fukushima plant

25 August 2024
A Takeda vaccine factory in Germany. The Japanese drugmaker will apply for approval to sell its dengue vaccine in the U.S. (Takeda Pharmaceutical)
Pharmaceuticals

Japan's Takeda aims to sell vaccines in U.S., targeting dengue first

Drugmaker hopes to break into market dominated by American and European players

25 August 2024
Taxi drivers need multiple smartphones to handle the various ride-hailing apps used by commuters. (Photo by Tomoko Wakasugi)
Transportation

For China's taxi drivers, smartphones are as important as seat belts

Ride-hailing apps, robotaxis and flying cars add stiff competition to gain customers

24 August 2024
YKKO has opened its first Thai location in a Bangkok shopping mall. (Photo by Nikkei)
Food & Beverage

Myanmar's Yoma expands noodle shops to Thailand in restaurant push

YKKO and KFC operator keeps up store openings despite inflation and instability

24 August 2024
University students today prefer to buy experiences such as concerts over tangible goods like cars and brand-name goods.
Datawatch

Japan university student spending nears bubble-era peak

Higher part-time job wages spur buying of experiences rather than goods

24 August 2024
People wait outside Haidilao, a Chinese hotpot restaurant chain in China. The chain began its international expansion in 2012 with an outlet in Singapore's historic riverside district of Clarke Quay.
Caixin

A new wave of Chinese food and beverages hit Southeast Asia

Despite success, supply chain and localization issues remain

24 August 2024
More than 500 people participated in an official Beyblade competition in Osaka in July. (Photo by Tomohide Yamaguchi)
Consumer

Beyblade series evolves into a sport enjoyed by people of all ages

Japanese toy maker Tomy expands tops' market superfast

24 August 2024
Wagyu prices are slumping due mainly to feeble demand, but are still high for most consumers. (Photo by Hisashi Tsusui)
Agriculture

Wagyu beef's wholesale price falls to 4-year low as consumption slows

Exports to Asia, Europe and U.S. boom as farmers seek stable demand

24 August 2024
The bug-hunting skills of Chinese white hats are highly regarded worldwide.
Cybersecurity

China seen using 'white hat' hackers to boost cyberattack capability

Vulnerabilities targeted heavily since bug hunters required to notify Beijing

24 August 2024
Seven & i Holdings operates a sprawling retail empire in Japan, including 7-Eleven convenience stores. (Photo by Yoshiyuki Tamai)
Markets

Seven & i takeover bid signals opening for corporate bargain hunters

Retail group among Japan blue chips with relatively low valuations

24 August 2024
The recent boom in artificial intelligence has only recently started to benefit the NAND memory, which is Kioxia's specialty. (Kioxia)
Semiconductors

Kioxia poised for long-sought IPO as AI boom trickles down

Japan memory maker finds footing after market slump and Western Digital saga

24 August 2024
Fed Chair Jerome Powell is speaking at the Jackson Lake Lodge in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park to a gathering of global central bankers and economists.
Economy

Fed's Powell says 'time has come' for U.S. to cut interest rates

Jackson Hole remarks as close as he is likely to come to declaring victory over inflation

24 August 2024
Germany’s RWE plans to double workers at its Japan base by the end of this year. (RWE)
Energy

Japan's offshore wind sector gears up as foreign players expand

Germany's RWE adds local personnel and Vestas boosts parts procurement

24 August 2024
Japanese purchases of foreign debt securities have hit a three-month high.
Bonds

Japan money piles into U.S., China bonds on rate cut expectations

Yen outlook holds key to Japanese investors' moves for rest of 2024

24 August 2024
Being too harsh on China and its potential tech threat could push countries away, a U.S. State Department official said.
US-China tensions

China tech tensions may turn off U.S. allies, State Dept. official warns

Policymakers debate whether Trump or Harris would take harder line on Beijing

23 August 2024
India's securities watchdog says Anil Ambani orchestrated a scheme to "siphon off" funds from Reliance Home Finance, a listed subsidiary of conglomerate Reliance Group, of which he is chairman.
Markets

Anil Ambani banned from Indian securities market for 5 years

Securities and Exchange Board of India also imposes $3m fine

23 August 2024
New Gwadar International Airport, set to be Pakistan's largest air hub by size, was built with a $246 million grant from China. (Screenshot from New Gwadar International Airport's Facebook page) 
Transportation

Pakistan delays China-funded airport opening over security fears

Critics say $246m 'vanity' project risks turning into a white elephant

23 August 2024
Chinese insurer Ping An says bond investment will continue to be a core feature in its investment portfolio despite regulators' moves to cool bets. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Getty Images and Reuters) 
Finance

Ping An to continue government bond investments despite crackdown

Chinese insurer evades questions on HSBC holdings at press conference

23 August 2024