Economy

Myanmar migrant workers at a camp for construction staff in Bangkok. Experts say the longer military rule in Myanmar lasts, the more people are likely to leave for Thailand.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar citizens eye escape to Thailand to avoid conflict at home

Strife-torn country pushing out the weary looking for peace of mind

21 February 2023
Nonperforming loans in Thailand banks have fallen consistently throughout 2022. 
Economy

Thai banks' bad loans decrease as debt restructuring picks up pace

But late payments up as households, small businesses struggle in uneven recovery

20 February 2023
Tourists at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on Jan. 4. The recovery in tourism has helped the Thai economy but exports remain in a slump.
Economy

Thai GDP grew 2.6% in 2022 as slow exports outweighed tourism gain

Slumping trade behind country's tepid October-December 1.4% rise

17 February 2023
Drought in Cambodia is expected to reduce Vietnam's supply of rice, hindering its ability to export more of the staple to the Philippines.
Agriculture

Thai rice exports to Philippines set to double as Vietnam cuts back

Fresh demand to help boost Bangkok's annual trade in staple to 8.2 million tons

16 February 2023
Onions are displayed at a public market in Manila in January, when inflation hit a 14-year high of 8.7%.
Economy

Philippines raises key interest rate to 6%, Indonesia holds steady

Manila's hike of 50 basis points follows fastest price rises in 14 years

16 February 2023
Fumio Kishida, left, shakes hands with Joko Widodo in Nusa Dua, Bali, in November 2022: Japan must make an extra effort to be chosen as a viable economic partner.
Opinion

Japan must show why it should stay Indonesia's partner of choice

Two nations have much room to take advantage of commonality and complementarity

16 February 2023
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai shakes hands with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Feb. 14. Tai was in the country for a three-day visit.
Trade

China-less IPEF trade framework will benefit business: USTR

USTR Tai also sees lessons in 'dark' history with former war enemy Vietnam

15 February 2023
Tourists take a selfie at Wat Arun temple in Bangkok in January. Starting in June, travelers arriving by air will have to pay a tax of nearly $9.
Economy

Thailand to charge $9 tourist tax from June in sustainability push

Fees to serve as insurance for emergency expenses

15 February 2023
Singapore is looking to cushion inflation, among other priorities, with its next budget.
Economy

Singapore budget aims to cushion 'brutal' inflation with subsidies

Wary of deficit, city-state is also seeking to beef up its tax revenues

14 February 2023
Indonesia wants to form closer ties with India, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati tells Nikkei Asia. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura) 
Interview

Indonesia seeks closer India ties to strengthen Global South role

Developing countries 'source of solution' for world problems: Finance Minister

14 February 2023
Japanese investment in Vietnam is also bringing awareness of how human rights affect supply chains, said the chief representative of JETRO in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Supply Chain

Vietnam at center of Japan's ASEAN supply chain shift: survey

Electronics investment, human rights awareness on the rise, trade body JETRO says

14 February 2023
Thailand was the third country in ASEAN, after Singapore and Malaysia, that kicked off virtual banking at a time of digital disruption.
Finance

Thailand's big corporations scramble for virtual bank licenses

CP Group, Gulf Energy, AIS join the race as kingdom's financial market heats up

14 February 2023
A farmer makes plantings on a floating seedbed made from invasive water hyacinths in Pirojpur district, Bangladesh: Modern-day green technologies can take inspiration from indigenous practices.
Opinion

Asia's green transition will require more climate finance

Philanthropic organizations can support technological innovations

14 February 2023
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. poses for a portrait after an interview on Feb. 12 in Tokyo. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) 
Interview

Transcript: Philippine President Marcos speaks with Nikkei Asia

Leader explains South China Sea and Taiwan tensions, U.S. and Japan defense deals

13 February 2023
Singapore faces weaker external demand amid slower growth in major trading partners.
Economy

Singapore cuts GDP growth for 2022 to 3.6% as demand sags

City-state keeps 0.5-2.5% forecast for 2023 amid global 'uncertainties'

13 February 2023
China's restrictions on cross-border data flows has overseas companies concerned that their headquarters will be cut off from important information.
Politics

Data fortress: Digital protectionism embraced by many in Asia

Restrictions on cross-border data use and server location hurt foreign companies

11 February 2023
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks in Tokyo on Feb. 9. (File photo by Reuters) 
Trade

Marcos says Philippines to ratify RCEP free trade deal 'soon'

President courts Japanese investors on third day of Tokyo visit

10 February 2023
Motorcyclists wait their turn at a fuel station in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Jan. 30: Islamabad bit the bullet to meet the conditions of its IMF loan.
Opinion

Asian nations need to shore up their energy security

Embattled importers must act now to clean up house

10 February 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, right, attends a welcoming ceremony in Bangkok with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. This was the leaders' first meeting since Anwar took office in November.
Trade

Thailand, Malaysia leaders agree to bolster bilateral trade

Anwar 'optimistic' on facilitating Bangkok's talks with southern rebels

10 February 2023
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., left, shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida before a bilateral meeting in Tokyo on Feb. 9. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai) 
International relations

Philippines, Japan pledge to deepen security and economic ties

Two nations edge toward a troop deployment deal in face of Chinese threat

9 February 2023
Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, left, meets with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana presidential office in Singapore on Feb. 9.
International relations

Vietnam PM Chinh seals green deals on Singapore visit

Neighbors align on renewable energy as Hanoi turmoil clouds prospects

9 February 2023
Business leaders exchange ideas on driving progress in private sector efforts to slow climate change at the Asia Green Tech Summit in Singapore on Feb. 8. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) 
Climate Change

Green tech investments set up Asia for sustainable growth

Regional companies urge climate crisis collaboration at Nikkei-FT summit

8 February 2023
A vegetable vendor tends to her shop at a market in Manila. Rising food prices are contributing to the country's surging headline inflation rate.
Inflation

Philippine inflation hit 14-year high of 8.7% in January

Marcos calls result 'unfortunate'; focus turns to interest rate decision next week

7 February 2023
Vietnamese will spend on food and beverages but cut back on big-ticket purchases because of concerns about the economy, Infocus Mekong Research says. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Consumer

As Vietnam exports slow, survey shows consumer gloom on the rise

Workers take on side jobs to make ends meet amid inflation and factory worries

7 February 2023
The Laotian central bank's test of its digital currency will involve consumers using the currency to pay for purchases at stores. (Photo obtained by Nikkei)
Currencies

Laos begins digital currency trial with Japan blockchain company

Southeast Asian country explores cross-border payments to get ahead of the curve

7 February 2023