Asia's big economies are likely to keep growing strongly in 2018, but slowing chip exports and higher interest rates are risks.
Economy

Asian export rebound is boosting better growth, at least for now

Higher interest rates and weaker smartphone demand are risks for China and the ASEAN4, says JCER

8 March 2018
Higher commodity prices, such as those for industrial base metals and iron ore, were the primary factor behind rising costs for manufacturers.
Economy

Solid demand improves Asia manufacturing in February

US tightening and Chinese economy loom as risk factors

8 March 2018
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are scheduled to hold a summit in April
North Korea Crisis

US demands North Korea take action on nuclear issue before talks

South Korea and Japan also stand by sanctions despite opening to dialogue

8 March 2018
Kim Jong Un is willing to begin talks with the U.S. and says his regime is open to discussions about denuclearization. (Original images by Reuters and Getty Images)
North Korea Crisis

Three reasons behind Kim Jong Un's about-face

Kim's sudden move to play nice keeps the world guessing

7 March 2018
People take pictures of themselves in front of the Sydney Opera House.
Economy

Australia weighs the costs of the coming population boom

'Lucky country' worries that high immigration will compromise its lifestyle

7 March 2018
GMs' restructuring in South Korea reflects plight of country's manufacturing.
Economy

GM plant closure threat serves as warning for Seoul

Is South Korea losing in global competition to attract business?

6 March 2018
ScoutAsia news and data sources include more than 20 English-language news media, the world's leading corporate databases and analyst reports.
Economy

Nikkei Inc. and the Financial Times Group announce launch of scoutAsia

New service offers clients access to news and information on 500,000 companies

5 March 2018
A screen shows the Nikkei index dropping in Tokyo on March 2. (Photo by Yoichi Iwata)
The Trump effect

Trump's steel tariffs push Asia toward trade-war footing

Stocks fall as analysts warn of intensifying US-China tit for tat

2 March 2018
The North Korean state-sponsored hacker group Lazarus appears to have resumed its efforts to steal foreign currency.
Economy

Pyongyang's hunger for foreign cash keeps its hackers busy

Unit 180 is apparently back in business after cyberattack discovered in January

1 March 2018
Asia's big economies are likely to keep growing strongly in 2018, but slowing chip exports and higher interest rates are risks.
Economy

Asian export rebound to fuel faster economic growth in 2018

Higher interest rates and weaker smartphone demand are downside risks: JCER

28 February 2018
South Korean protesters stage a rally near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on Feb. 20 after GM announced plans to close its Gunsan factory.
Economy

BOK chief anxious over Trump protectionism and GM closure

Trade pressure weighing on auto and steel industries

27 February 2018
The North Korean state-sponsored hacker group Lazarus appears to have resumed its efforts to steal foreign currency.
Economy

North Korea resumes cyber attacks in desperate search for foreign currency

As sanctions bite, the rogue regime seeks funds for nuclear and missile programs

25 February 2018
A woman rides a bicycle past a logo of Vietcombank, in front of the State Bank building in central Hanoi.
Asia300

Vietcombank prepares to sell 10% stake to foreign investors

State lender says GIC, Mizuho among potential buyers

23 February 2018
SK group, based here in Seoul, is looking to expand in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Asia300

South Korea's SK group to open regional base in Malaysia

'Chaebol' seeks growth beyond China after setback during THAAD spat

23 February 2018
Fishermen unload octopuses at the Matsukawa fishing port in the town of Soma, north of the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture in 2012. (Photo by Koji Uema)
International relations

WTO backs Japan in dispute over South Korea's import ban on seafood

Restrictions against eight prefectures were put in place following Fukushima

23 February 2018
Protesters rallied near the U.S. embassy in Seoul on Sept. 20 calling for General Motors to stabilize its troubled GM Korea unit. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Automobiles

Seoul asks GM to act responsibly in restructuring GM Korea

Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon calls on all stakeholders to share burden

23 February 2018
Japanese chat app operator Line is leveraging its huge popularity among young Asians to expand into financial services across the region.
Economy

Japan's online banks gain ground on their conventional counterparts

Unshackled by huge costs, digital lenders woo customers with better rates and new services

21 February 2018
South Korean President Moon Jae-in says the country should take decisive actions against any "unreasonable" protectionist measures by the U.S.
International relations

South Korea threatens WTO action if US hikes steel tariffs

Posco would likely shrug off the mooted 53% duty, but Hyundai Steel may struggle

20 February 2018
South Korea's Hyundai Motor increased its market share in Brazil by more than 6 percentage points in five years.
Latin America

Asian auto companies make big inroads in Brazil

Hyundai, Toyota gain ground in a potential market of over 200 million people

17 February 2018
A liquefied natural gas storage facility under construction in Hebei Province, China
Economy

China outstrips South Korea as world's No. 2 LNG importer

Beijing seen topping Tokyo by 2030 as it shifts from coal in anti-pollution push

17 February 2018
Chinese travelers crowd the main train station in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, ahead of the start of the Lunar New Year holiday. (Photo by Yu Nakamura)
Economy

Record Chinese tourists flock abroad for Lunar New Year

Companies court 6.5m travelers during lucrative holiday season

15 February 2018
The Center skyscraper fetched a record price for a Hong Kong office building in late 2017.
Property

China-fueled property boom distorts markets in Asia-Oceania

Authorities move to stop overheating as soaring prices cause concern

14 February 2018
Thailand was among the countries that saw large outflows of capital.
Economy

Emerging markets see biggest portfolio outflow in 14 months

Asia hit worst as stock plunge in US unsettles investors worldwide

12 February 2018
People walk past an electronic board showing Japanese stocks in Tokyo on Feb. 6. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Equities

So who were the winners after tumultuous week?

Philippine's Bloomberry Resorts, Indian pharmaceuticals shine in troubled market

9 February 2018