Economy

Central bank officials have expressed interest in Japan's low interest rate policy amid concerns over a global economic slowdown.
Datawatch

Subzero interest rate trend sends shivers through Asia

Global negative-yield bonds double to $17tn, posing economic risk

8 September 2019
From left, Naypyidaw, Putrajaya and Astana (source photo from Reuters)
Politics

A short history of relocating capitals in Asia

Indonesia's move has precedents in places such as Myanmar and Malaysia

30 August 2019
The Mekong River in Laos: drought is a reflection of the broader inability of the Mekong countries to agree on a regional plan for managing their water resources.
Opinion

Mekong nears tipping point as US-China rivalry grows

Difficult choices ahead as drought takes hold in downstream countries

27 August 2019
Australia is looking to export more coal to power-hungry India. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Economy

Australia courts India in hunt for reliable coal buyer

Resources minister to discuss development in visit to South Asian nation

27 August 2019
Huawei hopes to rebound in Australia by providing stand-alone 5G networks for specific business purposes. (Source photo by Reuters)
Interview

Huawei to cut engineers in Australia and restructure after 5G ban

Telecom giant will shift focus to transport, mining, agriculture and education

23 August 2019
The relaxing of a tech ban on Huawei does nothing to extract global companies from a much more pervasive web of export controls.
Opinion

US's Huawei ban highlights growing network of tech export controls

Sales of everything from 3D printing to AI are now subject to tight rules

19 August 2019
Many Japanese companies count on exports for growth as their home market stagnates.
Business trends

Japan leaves billions on table as paperwork clogs free trade deals

Only half of eligible companies enjoying fruits of 17 trade agreements

17 August 2019
Singapore's business district: there will be hardly any help from outside for the city-state.
Opinion

Asian exporters must heed Singapore's recession warning signs

Southeast Asian nations will fall victim to same global troubles

16 August 2019
Reserve Bank of India led by Gov. Shaktikanta Das cut the policy rate to boost Indian economy.
Economy

Rate cut spreads in Asia, but currency risks loom

India, Thailand and New Zealand surprise analysts with bigger-than-expected moves

8 August 2019
The yen's rise reduces the odds Japan Inc. will fatten paychecks. (Photo by Kai Fujii)
Opinion

Japan and South Korea will be biggest losers in US-China currency war

ASEAN countries will also be collateral damage as demand falls and exports are hit

8 August 2019
New Zealand Finance Minister Grant Robertson said his country needs to diversify its trading partners. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Interview

New Zealand looks beyond China to survive trade war: minister

Wellington 'not immune' to conflict as it braces for slow growth

7 August 2019
Huawei has signed a new two year contract to continue its major sponsorship with the National Rugby League club Canberra Raiders in June: the company has doubled its marketing budget in Australia this year.
Opinion

Australians endorse Huawei ban as part of hard line on China

Canberra risks standing alone after Trump flip-flopped and neighbors caved

2 August 2019
Women fetch water from an opening made by residents at a dried-up lake in Chennai, India on June 11.
Economy

Droughts hit Thailand and India, risking stress on food supplies

Rice producers see further export cut; Australia scrambles to import wheat

29 July 2019
A Fortescue Metals Group worker checks a truck loaded with iron ore. Deliveries by the mining company may have decreased by 3%.
Energy

Australia's iron ore output heads for first downturn in 20 years

Nation's economy relies heavily on mining exports to a weakening China

18 July 2019
Malaysia has banned import of plastic scrap but the ruling has been poorly enforced and monitored.
Opinion

How to end Asia's plastic waste war

Trade bans in Southeast Asia risk shifting problem to South Asia and Africa

17 July 2019
BHP chief executive Andrew Mackenzie discusses Chinese demand on June 19. (Photo by Manami Yamada)
Commodities

BHP chief gives Chinese economy thumbs up

Infrastructure drive lifts demand for iron ore and coal amid trade war

22 June 2019
Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who has urged the US and China to resolve their trade dispute.
Trade war

Australia urges US and China to resolve trade war

Treasurer Josh Frydneberg says trade differences weighing on global economy

7 June 2019
"For Sale" signs dot properties around the Sydney area as housing prices slumped in 2018. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Economy

Australia goes on the defensive with record-low interest rate

Lower home prices and consumption, along with China risk, threaten growth streak

5 June 2019
Pichet Durongkaveroj, Thailand's minister of digital economy and society, speaks at the Future of Asia conference on May 31. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
The Future of Asia 2019

Thailand casts wide net for 5G partners amid Huawei concerns

Ericsson and Nokia are among the potential beneficiaries

31 May 2019
U.S. players will likely seek out alternatives to Chinese rare earths should Beijing impose an export ban.
Commodities

Minor-metal stocks gain on fears of Beijing rare-earth ban

Japan and Australian miners seen as option if trade war cuts Chinese supply

23 May 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison waves to supporters in Sydney on May 19. The conservative Liberal-National coalition is projected to secure an outright majority in the lower house of parliament.
Politics

Australia's conservatives set to win a majority in lower house

Benchmark stock index surges to 11-year high on news of coalition victory

20 May 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to supporters after his opponent, Labor Party leader Bill Shorten, conceded defeat in the federal election in Sydney on Sunday.
Politics

Australia's conservatives owe 'miracle' win to economic promises

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's shrewd marketing proves successful

19 May 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, gestures after casting his ballot in a federal election in Sydney.
Politics

Australia's government pulls off shock win in federal election

Prime Minister Scott Morrison looks to remain in office

19 May 2019
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, faces off against Labor leader Bill Shorten.
Politics

Early returns point to Labor win in Australian federal election

Slower economy brings Liberal-National coalition to brink of defeat

18 May 2019
Some economists say they are worried that the Labor Party's tax policies could hurt Australia's housing market.
Politics

Australia elections pit landlords against renters

Labor pledge to end tax breaks for the wealthy met with fears of economic pain

17 May 2019