Economy

Office workers go for lunch at the central business district in Singapore on April 26, the first day free of COVID-19 restrictions: employees need to make the return to the office worth it. 
Opinion

Employers must be flexible to ease return-to-office tug of war

A hybrid model can only work if employers and employees both have input

3 June 2022
A seller prepares freshly butchered chickens at the Kampung Baru wet market in Kuala Lumpur on May 31, the day before Malaysia stopped exports to protect its domestic supplies.
Economy

'Food nationalism' worries rise after India, Malaysia export bans

Policies stoke fears of further inflation, weaponization of supplies

3 June 2022
Tourism typically accounts for 7% of Kashmir's economy.
Travel & Leisure

Kashmir's embattled travel industry enjoys a renaissance

Indians flock to 'paradise on earth' as COVID ebbs and security improves

3 June 2022
The main campus of IT company Infosys in Bengaluru, India. Japanese e-commerce platform Mercari is opening a R&D center in the city. (Photo by Satoshi Shimoda)
Startups

India's herd of tech unicorns grows despite IPO headwinds

16 billion-dollar startups established already this year: tech lobby chief

2 June 2022
Narendra Modi, Joe Biden and Fumio Kishida attend the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework launch event in Tokyo on May 23: Modi's moves do signal a significant shift.
Opinion

Modi's trade rethink shows that geopolitical friendship has benefits

National security concerns are driving new forms of Asian economic integration

2 June 2022
A shopper buys vegetables from a vendor in Kolkata: India's April retail inflation surged to an almost eight-year high of 7.79%.
Economy

India's GDP grew 4.1% in January-March, slowest in a year

Omicron COVID wave, inflation stemming from Ukraine war dented fiscal Q4 figures

31 May 2022
Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, left, continues to apply pressure on his replacement, Shehbaz Sharif. (Source photos by Press Information Department and Reuters) 
Economy

Imran Khan ultimatum looms as Pakistan pushes for IMF deal

Experts say PM Sharif's longevity hinges on showing army he can stabilize economy

31 May 2022
Workers pick leaves at a tea plantation in northern Bangladesh, where thousands of farmers have traded potatoes, rice and other traditional crops for the more lucrative commodity. (By Kaniz Fatima)
Agriculture

Bangladesh farmers trade lowly spuds for high tea

Growers brew bumper profits with tea leaves as government eyes export markets

31 May 2022
Police use tear gas to disperse Medical University students during a protest demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down, near the President's House, amid the country's ongoing economic crisis, in Colombo on May 29. 
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka PM proposes more cabinet accountability amid economic crisis

Move comes after weeks of street protests triggered by the country's economic crisis

30 May 2022
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo addresses Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 27. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
The Future of Asia 2022

Indonesia's Jokowi urges quick rollout of China-backed trade bloc

At Nikkei forum, Hun Sen defends succession plan and denies China 'debt trap'

27 May 2022
People wait in a queue for food in New Delhi in January 2021: The pandemic has driven millions of people in the developing world back into poverty and food insecurity.
Opinion

Soaking the rich will not help the world's poor

Policies that foster entrepreneurship and job creation are better targeted

27 May 2022
Indonesian President Joko Widodo says that "Indonesia wants to make sure that the G-20 will serve as a catalyst for global economic recovery." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
The Future of Asia 2022

Indonesia's Jokowi aims to host successful G-20 despite Russia issue

President urges 'immediate' implementation of China-backed trade bloc

27 May 2022
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar touts the merits of the Quad at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

India foreign minister says groups like Quad are key

Jaishankar says nation's ties with China have deteriorated in last couple of years

27 May 2022
Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith argues against the use of sanctions at Nikkei's Future of Asia forum on May 27. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Laos president: Sanctions, embargoes 'will not make world a better place'

Thongloun says his government will not take sides in today's conflicts

27 May 2022
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen addresses Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 27. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Cambodia's Hun Sen defends succession plan, denies China 'debt trap'

PM questions whether Biden's IPEF initiative will have 'same destiny' as TPP

27 May 2022
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addresses Nikkei's Future of Asia forum with a video message on May 27.
The Future of Asia 2022

Bangladesh needs preferential trade terms beyond 2026, PM says

Sheikh Hasina seeks smooth transition from 'least developed' to 'developing' status

27 May 2022
Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad shares his perspective on the Ukraine war at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Malaysia's Mahathir on Ukraine: Small conflicts 'grow into world wars'

At age 96, former leader shares unique perspective on history -- and longevity

27 May 2022
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addresses Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 27. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Australia's Rudd: Don't 'lecture' Pacific islands on China

Former PM urges West to offer different, better development options

27 May 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework initiative is "solid proof of how important and relevant Asia is today." (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Thailand's Prayuth: Open, rules-based Asia key to post-COVID growth

Singapore's Lee warns of arms race, Malaysia PM highlights supply risks at Nikkei forum

26 May 2022
Yi Xiaozhun, China's former vice minister of commerce, warns the Ukraine war could trigger economic problems comparable to the 2008 financial crisis. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

China ex-official warns of Ukraine war's impact on Asian trade

Economic setback may be similar to 2008 financial crisis, says former WTO envoy

26 May 2022
Yun Duk-min, chair-professor at Hankook University of Foreign Studies, is expected to become South Korea's ambassador to Japan. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

South Korea to restore Japan ties 'as soon as possible,' next envoy says

On North Korea, Yun Duk-min says U.N. is 'paralyzed' due to Ukraine issue

26 May 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says Asia must revive growth by "keeping the market open and inclusive." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Thai PM Prayuth says states 'must support' multilateral trading systems

Digitalization, clean energy will be 'key drivers' for economic growth

26 May 2022
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa calls for international help in a prerecorded speech during Nikkei's Future of Asia conference.
The Future of Asia 2022

Sri Lanka president calls for international help as crisis swirls

Supporting vulnerable nations bolsters global stability, says Rajapaksa

26 May 2022
Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh says Asia "should strengthen its sense of responsibility in creating and maintaining a peaceful environment." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Vietnam Deputy PM urges world to 'put aside' disagreements

Asia needs stronger 'sense of responsibility' to maintain peace, pursue prosperity

26 May 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob says Southeast Asia is "one of the most vulnerable regions to the effects of climate change." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
26 May 2022