Middle East

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani shake hands in Tokyo on Dec. 20. Japan has historically had friendly ties with Iran.
Iran tensions

Abe to go ahead with Mideast visit in hopes of defusing tensions

Prime minister heads to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman on Saturday

10 January 2020
Former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn leaves after delivering a news conference at the Lebanese Press Syndicate in Beirut on Jan. 8.
Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Banned from leaving Lebanon, Ghosn submits passport

Ex-Nissan chairman battles for public support with media blitz

10 January 2020
Ex-Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn presents his case to select members of the media in Beirut on Jan. 8. 
Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Analyzing Ghosn's emotions through AI

A deeper look at the ex-Nissan chairman's news conference in Beirut

9 January 2020
Carlos Ghosn's news conference in Lebanon on Jan. 8 has stirred up resentment at the automaker he once brought back from the brink of collapse. (Nikkei Montage/ Source photo by Reuters) 
Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Ghosn haunts Nissan as it maneuvers for a rebound

At home in Lebanon, the former chief puts the automaker's past back in front

9 January 2020
International cybersecurity experts have identified numerous weak spots likely to be targeted by Iranian hackers that could wreak havoc among logistics and service providers for U.S. military bases in Asia. (Nikkei Montage/ Source photo by Reuters) 
Iran tensions

Asia warned to brace for US-Iran cyberwar

Online threat rises even as both sides back away from armed conflict

9 January 2020
Former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn speaks during a news conference at the Lebanese Press Syndicate in Beirut on Jan. 8.
Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Ghosn claims injustice from Beirut, but Tokyo calls it unacceptable

Ex-Nissan chief accuses six former colleagues of conspiracy

9 January 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a statement about Iran at the White House on Jan. 8.
Iran tensions

Trump backs away from conflict after Iran strike kills no Americans

US adds sanctions but oil price drops and stocks surge as tensions ease

9 January 2020
Iranian soldiers mourn Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, who was killed in an air strike by the U.S. in Baghdad. Rising tensions have cast a shadow on business activity in the Middle East.
Iran tensions

Japanese companies ban Middle East travel

Global players Komatsu, Chiyoda and Toray face dent to business

9 January 2020
Iran's state-controlled media said the attack was revenge for the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a Jan. 3 drone strike. (Nikkei montage/AP)
Iran tensions

Iran fires ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases housing US troops

Khamenei calls strike 'a slap on the face' of America as White House gauges damage

8 January 2020
West Texas Intermediate, the global oil benchmark, marked $65 per barrel at one point on Jan. 8, up 10% from a month ago.
Iran tensions

Iran's missile strike sends gold and oil prices up

Investors shift to risk-off mode amid escalating tensions in the Middle East

8 January 2020
A man walks past an electric board showing Nikkei Stock Average in Tokyo on Jan. 8.
Iran tensions

Asian stocks dive after Iran fires missiles at US-led forces

Yen, gold and oil surge as investors fear tensions following Soleimani killing

8 January 2020
Singapore Airlines has regular flights to more than 10 European cities. Other Asian carriers may follow its lead and divert flights away from Iranian airspace.
Iran tensions

Singapore Airlines avoids Iran airspace as regional tension rises

Flights between SE Asia and Europe face disruption as country lies along route

8 January 2020
Iranian military forces drill in the Strait of Hormuz in December 2011: Iran may carry out its threat of blockading.
Opinion

US-Iran crisis poses fresh and enduring risk to Middle East oil supply

China, India and Japan need to take diplomatic initiative as big importers from Gulf

8 January 2020
Coffins of the commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes, the deputy head of the predominantly Shia Muslim Popular Mobilization Forces are carried on a truck surrounded by mourners during a funeral procession in Tehran.
Iran tensions

Foreigners flee region as Iran strikes back at US

Evacuations weighs on economy as Tehran enacts 'revenge scenario'

8 January 2020
Lebanese President Michel Aoun, left, and Japanese Ambassador to Lebanon Takeshi Okubo met Tuesday to discuss Carlos Ghosn's escape.
Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Lebanon president denies Beirut role in Ghosn escape

Aoun promises Japanese ambassador full cooperation

8 January 2020
Lebanese lawyer Hassan Bazzi wants local authorities to investigate Carlos Ghosn over his dealings in Israel. (Photo by Momoko Kidera)
Interview

Lebanese are 'angry' over Ghosn's Israel dealings, local lawyer says

Instead of hero's welcome, Hassan Bazzi wants ex-Nissan boss put on trial

7 January 2020
Cryptocurrencies are viewed with suspicion by some, but they also provide a way for honest savers to safeguard assets in a crisis. (Photo by Akira Takemura)
Iran tensions

Iran crisis triggers surge in cryptocurrencies

Migrant workers and investors turn to "digital gold" as financial conduit and safe haven

7 January 2020
Muslim protesters shout slogans during a pro-Palestinian rally outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta in June 2018: when it comes to fighting Americans, they will support Iran.
Opinion

Soleimani killing tests Iran's ties with Malaysia and Indonesia

Southeast Asian countries face choice between Tehran and Saudi Arabia

7 January 2020
The coffins of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and his comrades killed in Iraq in a U.S. drone strike are surrounded by mourners in the Iranian city of Ahvaz, in this photo provided by the Iranian Students News Agency.
Iran tensions

Red flag for vengeance -- anger over US strike on Iran general grows

Limited options for retaliation help markets shrug off heightened risk

7 January 2020
Former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn took a Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka as part of his escape plan. (Nikkei montage)
Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Ghosn rode in train, car and box to stage escape

French minister suggests former chairman should face justice

7 January 2020
Demonstrators attend a protest in Tehran on Jan. 3 against the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani by American forces.
Iran tensions

Asia braces for worst after US strike on Iran's Soleimani

Philippines prepares evacuation plans while Thailand and India fear trade impact

6 January 2020
Carlos Ghosn faces charges of financial misconduct in Japan. 
Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Turkish jet worker aided Ghosn escape under 'threats to family'

Former Nissan chairman to face Lebanese prosecutors 'as early as Monday'

5 January 2020
Former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn and his residence in Beirut: Speculation is rife that Lebanese authorities may have had advance knowledge of his escape from Japan. (Nikkei Montage/Source photos by AP)
Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Did Ghosn's political ties in Lebanon open doors?

Middle Eastern country denies any role in his escape

4 January 2020
People stand outside Carlos Ghosn's home in Beirut on Jan. 2. (Photo by Momoko Kidera)
Interview

Exclusive: Lebanon to question Ghosn 'as soon as possible'

Justice minister says 'no precedent' for extradition based on Interpol notice

4 January 2020
Demonstrators burn the U.S. and British flags during a protest against the assassination of the Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani by the U.S., in Tehran on Jan. 3.
Iran tensions

Killing of Iran general sends oil and yen surging

Markets hold breath for Tehran's response after US strike on Soleimani

4 January 2020