Economy

Bystanders look at a damaged road on Japan's Noto Peninsula following a deadly earthquake on Jan. 1.
Natural disasters

Asian leaders offer assistance for Japan earthquake response

Marcos, Yoon and more express solidarity as death toll climbs

3 January 2024
My father, Seizaburo, and mother, Yasuko.
Haruhiko Kuroda

The siren of independence: Haruhiko Kuroda (2)

Kuroda reflects on his early years and Japan's transition to independence

2 January 2024
Fire spreads in the Japanese city of Wajima during the early hours of Jan. 2 after a strong earthquake struck the area on New Year's Day. 
Natural disasters

Japan earthquake: 4 confirmed dead as authorities rush to rescue

Road damage hinders response effort in cities near Sea of Japan coast

2 January 2024
Workers hold a Chinese flag at Hambantota port in Sri Lanka on Aug. 16, 2022. Chinese President Xi Jinping wants his country to play a larger role in global affairs through Belt and Road Initiative projects such as this one.
Asia Insight

Sri Lanka's China 'debt trap' fears grow as Beijing keeps investing

New $4.5 bn Sinopec deal comes amid debt restructuring, BRI lending shift

2 January 2024
Engineers at Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute in Hsinchu: Taiwan's chip manufacturing model was built up over decades.
Opinion

U.S.-China faceoff means Taiwan needs closer links with neighbors

Washington's decoupling push poses threat to island's resilience

2 January 2024
A shrine gate lies collapsed in Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, after the quake on Jan. 1. 
Natural disasters

Japan on alert for more earthquakes as water causes 'slippery' faults

Experts suspect underground fluid behind swarm of quakes in area hit on New Year's

1 January 2024
Shipping containers in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.
Trade

South Korea records its first trade deficit with China in 31 years

Country's overall shortfall narrows in 2023 as exports to U.S. increase

1 January 2024
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen attends the National Day celebration ceremony in Taipei on Oct. 10, 2023.
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan's Tsai calls for peaceful coexistence with China

President's speech comes hours after Xi said 'reunification' was inevitable

1 January 2024
Former BOJ Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
Haruhiko Kuroda

Pursuing the national interest: Haruhiko Kuroda (1)

Former BOJ governor reflects on 56 years in public service

1 January 2024
China's path to economic recovery looks to be tough in the new year even though its government has rolled out a raft of measures to boost the slow economy. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters) 
Market Spotlight

Rate cuts, Chinese rebound in focus for Asia in 2024

Investors waiting on Japan to end its ultraloose monetary policy

1 January 2024
Chinese President Xi Jinping waves during a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic in this 2019 file photo.
Taiwan tensions

Xi pledges to strengthen economy in 2024, stresses Taiwan unification

Chinese president's New Year's address acknowledges 'headwinds'

31 December 2023
China's economic growth is still seen on track to hit the official target of around 5% this year and Beijing is expected to maintain the target next year.
Economy

China factory contraction deepens, more stimulus on the cards

Shrinkage for third straight month affected by local debt issues, soft global demand

31 December 2023
Orchard Road in Singapore in November: While not as many Chinese tourists or moderate-spending locals are filling the boutiques, luxury brand shoppers have been active. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Economy

Singapore's Orchard Road loses Chinese tourists, midrange spenders

Indian visitors surprise local business group by showing up in large numbers

30 December 2023
The yen was down roughly 7% against the dollar this year as of Dec. 29. (Photo by Akira Takemura)
Currencies

Yen is worst-performing G10 currency for 3rd straight year

Modest rebound seen ahead in 2024 on narrower interest rate gap

30 December 2023
A jetty for oil tankers is seen in Kyaukpyu, Myanmar. The nation plans to build a deepwater seaport in this township with China's backing.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar and China's CITIC to resume stalled deepwater port project

Site envisioned as Beijing's gateway to Indian Ocean under Belt and Road

29 December 2023
A sign at the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong in September: The cumulative sum lent or put into equity investments in initiative projects surpassed $1 trillion this year.
Belt and Road

On topic: China's Belt and Road in limbo

A collection of stories to catch up on a hot topic

29 December 2023
A construction site in Seoul. Condo development has stalled recently across much of South Korea amid rising interest rates and stagnating prices.
Property

South Korea builder Taeyoung files for debt workout amid slump

Worries about industry credit crunch mount as higher rates dent real estate demand

29 December 2023
A drought has caused the Panama Canal Authority to restrict passage of container ships.
Supply Chain

Panama Canal backup forces detours for Asia-bound grain ships

Suez Canal transits soar due to drought, threatening higher food costs

29 December 2023
A man in Shaanxi province looks at the unfinished building where he bought a home: China's economic outlook will hinge on the property sector.
Opinion

2024 outlook: China's economic gloom to lighten a little bit

Property market stabilization requires faster restructuring of developers' debts

29 December 2023
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has stepped up investment in such destinations as the U.S. and Europe. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Economy

Taiwan investment in China plummets as it soars in U.S. and Germany

Mainland's appeal ebbs amid flagging economy and rising tensions

29 December 2023
China's BYD, the world's second-leading EV maker, is ramping up exports to Europe and Southeast Asia. (Photo by Yumi Okura)
Automobiles

China set to beat Japan to become No. 1 auto exporter

Exports to Russia and Mexico soar while EVs surge in Europe, Southeast Asia

29 December 2023
Lu Lei started his career at the central bank, where he was involved in various initiatives to reshape China's financial system, including state-owned bank reforms, rural financial system shake-ups and studies on yuan convertibility.
Caixin

China appoints Lu Lei as deputy central bank governor

Veteran financial regulator to oversee research and currency bureaus, among others

28 December 2023
Some of the Bank of Japan's policy board members are cautious about unwinding its ultraloose monetary policy too soon. 
Bank of Japan

BOJ policy board split on timeline for tightening policy

Doves eye spring labor talks while hawks warn of missing opportunity

28 December 2023
Ambassador Octavio Cortes, Brazil's envoy to Japan, spoke with the Nikkei about his country's hopes for an economic partnership agreement with Japan.
International relations

Japan needs early EPA talks with Mercosur: Brazilian envoy

Tax reform makes Brazil more attractive for investment, ambassador says

27 December 2023
President Xi Jinping, center, and other Chinese Communist Party leaders discussed economic priorities for 2024 at the two-day annual Central Economic Work Conference in mid-December. The market speculates that Xi is cautious about government spending measures. (Xinhua/Kyodo)
The Nikkei View

Private-sector vitality is needed to revive China's economy

Xi must not prioritize party dominance over employment and innovation

27 December 2023