New Zealand

Japan's chief TPP negotiator, Keiichi Katakami, pushed to preserve the pact's current terms in Toronto Tuesday and Wednesday.
Economy

TPP members agree to go on minus US, but differ on terms

Countries may seek better deal now that American market opening is gone

5 May 2017
Staff at the Fairfax newspaper The Age walk out in protest after the company announced a round of staff cuts, in Melbourne on May 3.
Business

Fairfax Media job cuts trigger industrial action

Latest staff reductions highlight Australian media group's woes

4 May 2017
Representatives of the 14 PACER Plus nations in Brisbane, Australia, on April 20 (Courtesy of Office of New Zealand Minister of Trade Negotiations)
Politics

New Pacific trade pact goes against the protectionist tide

But 14-nation deal may be largely symbolic without Fiji and Papua New Guinea

4 May 2017
Mitsui seeks to attract health-conscious consumers with its "super onion."
Japan-Update

Mitsui plants seeds to lift output of 'super onion'

Japanese trading house targets health-conscious consumers

4 May 2017
A symbol of Sydney’s real estate bubble, a luxurious cliff-top home for sale in the eastern suburb of Bronte is expected to sell for about A$6.5 million ($4.86 million). (Courtesy of The Blacket Agency)
Economy

Australia mulls ways to dilute foreign demand for property

With home prices in top cities soaring, all eyes on May national budget for solutions

3 May 2017
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill speaks in the capital, Port Moresby, on April 8.
International relations

Papua New Guinea's premier faces balancing act between Australia, China

Budget woes continue as economy hit hard by sagging resource prices

3 May 2017
Stream article image
Economy

Talks kick off on 'TPP 11' pact minus US

New top dog Japan aims to keep deal's terms intact

3 May 2017
Australian mining giants have turned to automation, such as unmanned dump trucks, to lower production costs.
Business

Aussie iron ore giants remain bullish despite price drop

Big miners lifting output on optimism about long-term demand from China, India

2 May 2017
Japan Post President Kunio Yokoyama, right, spoke at a press conference with Japan Post Holdings President Masatsugu Nagato.
Business

Japan Post cuts a mean loss, but can it grow?

Group's future no clearer a decade since embarking on privatization

2 May 2017
This marks the second time that the start of production by the Australian energy project has been postponed.
Business

Inpex falls further behind on Aussie LNG project

Construction delays could push back start date as far as March 2018

1 May 2017
Journalists and citizens rally in May 2016 to demand protection of press freedoms after the abrupt firing of a veteran editor at Chinese-language newspaper Ming Pao. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Politics

Asia-Pacific press freedom takes another step back

North Korea, China at rock bottom as Hong Kong slips from top 10

29 April 2017
By scanning the QR code printed on the bottom of a baby formula package with a smartphone, a shopper can check if the product is authentic. (Photo courtesy of Fonterra)
Business

Fonterra takes lead in product safety with new tracking system

Recent food scandals prompted dairy producer's move to ease consumer concerns

28 April 2017
Japanese Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso
Economy

Tokyo to push for TPP without US, says Aso

Japan's deputy PM confident of quick deal with 10 original signatory countries

27 April 2017
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, left, and Japanese Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso shake hands as they end the joint press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 18.
Economy

TPP talks to get going -- with notable absentee

Japan aiming to lead, maintain rules in hope of Washington returning

27 April 2017
A lone power shovel works at a road construction site in Yakawlang, Afghanistan.
Economy

Think the RCEP is about free trade? Think again

Beijing-led pact is aimed at saving China's own economy via the Belt and Road

27 April 2017
The Yangshan Deep Water Port in Shanghai
Economy

The long, frustrating quest for free trade in Asia

A defanged TPP and an undercooked RCEP make for a murky future

27 April 2017
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, center, visits the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on April 20. Flanking him are the mosque's grand imam, Nasaruddin Umar, left, and its chairman, Muhammad Muzammil Basyuni. (Pool)
Politics

Trump's No. 2 brings an olive branch to Asia

Vice President Mike Pence reaches out to Muslims to defuse anti-US sentiment

27 April 2017
The Yangshan Deep Water Port in Shanghai
Economy

The long and frustrating quest for free trade in Asia

A defanged TPP and an undercooked RCEP make for a murky future

27 April 2017
A lone power shovel works at a road construction site in Yakawlang, Afghanistan.
Economy

Think the RCEP is about free trade? Think again

Beijing-led pact is aimed at saving China's own economy via the Belt and Road

27 April 2017
Former U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman
Economy

If US won't lead on trade, China will: Ex-US trade rep

Michael Froman urges engagement in Asia-Pacific to counter Beijing's influence

27 April 2017
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, center, visits the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on April 20. Flanking him are the mosque's grand imam, Nasaruddin Umar, left, and its chairman, Muhammad Muzammil Basyuni. (Pool)
Politics

Trump's No. 2 brings an olive branch to Asia

Vice President Mike Pence reaches out to Muslims to defuse anti-US sentiment

26 April 2017
Japan Post Holdings President Masatsugu Nagato, left, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on April 25.
Business

Japan Post to cut 2,000 jobs at Australian unit

Company's president says optimism got in the way of due diligence

25 April 2017
A newly-constructed home is listed as sold on an advertising board in the Sydney suburb town.
Politics

Soaring house prices turn 'Australian dream' into nightmare

Canberra mulls tax changes as young workers are squeezed out of the market

25 April 2017
Hitachi Construction Machinery expanding its parts replacement services to ensure stable revenues.
Business

Hitachi Construction Machinery using data to strike it rich

Keeping tabs on miners' activities offers opportunity in spare parts

25 April 2017
A woman walks past an advertisement board at Japan Post's Tokyo headquarters. The ad touts the company's local presence throughout Japan.
Business

Japan Post faces revamp overseas as Australian unit Toll slumps

Group seeks new path for logistics, eyes postal consulting in Southeast Asia

25 April 2017