Economy

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses the Philippine Congress on Nov. 4.
Comment

Japan's views on ASEAN must evolve as regional bloc grows stronger

Equal partnership could open doors for more business-to-business collaboration

9 December 2023
Workers at a construction site in Kuala Lumpur: Most workers in Malaysia are employed by small and medium size businesses.
Economy

Malaysia plans new wage scheme for low-income workers

'Progressive' model targets small business, but effectiveness questioned

7 December 2023
A vendor loads vegetables into a tricycle at a market in Manila on Dec. 5.
Economy

Philippines inflation slowdown heralds cautious optimism for 2024

Policymakers still trying to rein in volatile prices of rice, other food items

5 December 2023
The Japanese and Canadian trade ministers, Yasutoshi Nishimura and Mary Ng, seal a memorandum of understanding over battery supply chains in Ottawa on Sept. 21. (The Canadian Press via AP)
Indo-Pacific

Canada trade agency to open offices in Tokyo, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City

Ottawa accelerates Indo-Pacific push after entering Jakarta and Seoul

5 December 2023
Southeast Asia is raking in foreign direct investment as the region positions itself as a buffer zone amid the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry.
Datawatch

U.S. and China butt heads over investment in Southeast Asia

Region attracted a record $222bn in foreign direct investment in 2022

2 December 2023
Thai Prime minister Srettha Thavisin outlines the government's digital money handout plan at a news conference in Bangkok on Nov. 10. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Economy

Thailand lacks baht for Srettha's digital wallet plan, economist warns

Risk of crisis from local currency shortage 'should not be underestimated'

30 November 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden highlights his economic agenda in Wisconsin: Self-interest and the pursuit of self-sufficiency mean that a globalized world can no longer be taken for granted.
Opinion

Asian developing markets cannot depend on Western investors anymore

Reorganization of supply chains has changed dynamics of capital flows

30 November 2023
A bank employee gathers Thai baht notes: The central bank held its policy interest rate steady at 2.5%, ending a streak of eight straight rate rises as the economy slows.
Economy

Thailand pauses monetary tightening as economy slows

Central bank keeps rate unchanged at 2.5%, downgrades growth outlook

29 November 2023
A garment factory in Vietnam in 2021. The country is one of Asia's major manufacturing hubs.
Economy

Vietnam to raise tax rate for multinationals from 2024

Experts say country must improve infrastructure to attract more foreign money

29 November 2023
Sentosa Cove is the only place in Singapore where foreigners can buy mansions without needing to get the extra layers of approval that similar properties elsewhere require. (Photo by Dylan Loh)
Property

Singapore property playground for rich foreigners hits rough patch

Money laundering arrests plus sales dip test 'little Monaco' on Sentosa Island

28 November 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin says that the country faces an economic crisis, and that the antidote is for citizens to "take pride in spending."
Asia Insight

Thailand PM Srettha faces hard sell in e-wallet plan to stoke economy

'Salesman' turns to domestic woes after foreign focus in first 100 days

28 November 2023
Porters carry imports into Mong Cai, Vietnam from China in 2018: Southeast Asia is depending more on Chinese imports but growth in exports has slowed.
Opinion

China's slowdown will not stop growth in Southeast Asia

Region's economies can offset impact by attracting relocating supply chains

28 November 2023
Tourists pose for photos in Kuala Lumpur in October. Like its Southeast Asian neighbors, Malaysia is desperate to bring back Chinese travelers now that COVID-related restrictions have been abandoned. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Economy

Malaysia to offer visa-free entry to China and India nationals to boost economy

Arrangement starts in December, also applies to Gulf state travelers

27 November 2023
Japanese trading house Marubeni hopes its Osaji cosmetics brand will help its cosmetics business reach sales of $100 billion yen by 2030. (Photo courtesy of Osaji)
Companies

Japan's Marubeni to push Osaji cosmetics brand in Southeast Asia

Trading house weighs sales at Thailand's Karmarts, Malaysia's Ainz & Tulpe

27 November 2023
Leaders from ASEAN and Japan join hands for a photo at the ASEAN-Japan Summit in Jakarta in September.
International relations

ASEAN must pursue technology in ties with Japan, expert says

Malaysian think tank director suggests cooperation beyond trade, business

26 November 2023
Tetsuya Watanabe became president of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia in July. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura)
International relations

Japan and ASEAN can jointly tackle decarbonization, says think tank chief

Partners complement each other technologically and demographically, ERIA head says

23 November 2023
Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port on July 16. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

ASEAN economies await a cloudy 2024 amid export worries

Trade-oriented countries are 'not out of the woods' yet after 2023's slowdown

22 November 2023
Singapore's business district. The city-state's GDP growth is slower than nearby economies in Southeast Asia. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Economy

Singapore pegs 2024 GDP growth between 1% and 3%

City-state expects electronics demand recovery after 1.1% expansion in Q3

22 November 2023
Indonesian officials speak on Nov. 21 in Jakarta at the announcement of renewable energy targets and investment plans, part of a climate financing pledge by the G7 last year. (Photo by Erwida Maulia)
Climate Change

Indonesia finalizes renewables target with G7 climate finance plan

Critics fault exclusion of 'captive' coal in $20bn energy transition program

21 November 2023
A woman walks inside Penang International Airport's arrival hall. The Malaysian state of Penang is popular with Indonesian medical tourists. (Photo by Randy Mulyanto)
Health Care

Malaysia's Penang lures medical tourists from Indonesia

Geographic proximity, linguistic similarities, quality and costs among advantages

21 November 2023
Anwar Ibrahim became Malaysia's 10th prime minister in November 2022. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Rie Ishii and Hiroki Endo)
Asia Insight

Anwar struggles to boost Malaysian economy a year after victory

Rising food prices and weak currency hamper prime minister's reform plans

21 November 2023
Tourists visit Wat Arun temple in Bangkok in October. A recovery in tourism toward the end of the year will be a boon for the economy. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Thailand GDP growth disappoints as exports weaken

Economy expanded 1.5% in Q3, falling short of market expectations

20 November 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin poses during a welcome ceremony on Sept. 25 for the first Chinese tourists arriving under a five-month visa-free entry scheme. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
International relations

Thai government in hot water over idea to invite Chinese police

PM Srettha Thavisin proposed controversial plan after Bangkok shooting incident

18 November 2023
A view of Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's economy grew 3.3% in the July to September quarter from a year earlier, with domestic growth helping to offset weak demand from abroad.
Economy

Malaysia's GDP growth inches up to 3.3% but remains lackluster

Q3 figures show domestic sector expansion offset by weak external demand

17 November 2023
Construction of a bridge to be connected to the national capital Nusantara in Indonesia's East Kalimantan province. Sinar Mas Land plans to build a hotel in the new city. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and Reuters)
Travel & Leisure

Indonesian conglomerate Sinar Mas to open hotel in new capital

Developer sees opportunity as government functions begin Nusantara move next year

15 November 2023