Philippines

Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., on the left, seen here with his cousin and House Speaker Martin Romualdez earlier this year.
Economy

Marcos' cousin, son push $4.9bn Philippine sovereign wealth fund

Maharlika Investments Fund eyes Singapore and Indonesia as models

29 November 2022
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks on a Philippine coast guard ship at Puerto Princesa on Nov. 22: It is far from assured that the allies can sustain the current positive momentum.
Opinion

Marcos' unexpected whirlwind U.S. courtship will soon be tested

An unhappy China will likely demand price for big infrastructure investments

29 November 2022
Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, right, receives a refrigerated container from Japan. (Photo by Yuichi Shiga)
International relations

Philippines receives cold trucks from Japan to deliver COVID shots

Logistics equipment to help boost vaccine shipments to islands

26 November 2022
Since the 2019 pro-democracy protests, Twitter has played a vital role for the Hong Kong people to share information with the outside world. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Politics

Twitter, Meta layoffs spur political safeguard fears across Asia

Authoritarian regimes could strengthen grip on social media platforms

23 November 2022
On the bridge of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, off Palawan, the Philippines, in November 2022. Harris has reiterated the U.S.' "unwavering commitment" to defend the Philippines.
South China Sea

Kamala Harris slams China on Philippine ship near disputed sea

Washington's No. 2 asserts America's interests in the South China Sea

22 November 2022
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., left, shakes hands with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines, on Nov. 21.
International relations

Harris meets Marcos as U.S. reaffirms Philippines security pledge

Vice president to make historic visit to island facing South China Sea

21 November 2022
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Philippines on Nov. 21.
Your Week in Asia

Taiwan local elections, Harris in Philippines, ASEAN defense ministers meeting

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

20 November 2022
Federal Land Chair Alfred Ty, right, stands beside the Mitsukoshi Lion statue with other VIPs during a  Nov. 17 unveiling event at the newly-built Mitsukoshi BGC mall in Manila. (Photo by Yuichi Shiga)
Retail

Japan's Mitsukoshi sheds high-end frills with new Manila mall

Department store applies lessons learned from setbacks in Southeast Asia

20 November 2022
The central banks of Indonesia and the Philippines both raised rates on Thursday. (Source photos by Reuters) 
Economy

Indonesia, Philippines hike key rates in bid to tame inflation

Prices rising faster than central bank targets in both Southeast Asian nations

17 November 2022
This aerial photo from 2015 shows a Chinese development on a reef in the disputed Spratly Islands, close to Palawan.
South China Sea

Kamala Harris to visit Philippine island near China dispute

VP's stop on Palawan has message: U.S. is engaged in Indo-Pacific

16 November 2022
U.S. Marines prepare the annual joint maritime exercises with the Philippines at Capas, Tarlac province, Philippines, on Oct. 13.
International relations

Philippines to accelerate U.S. defense deal on base access

Manila and Washington eye camps near Taiwan, South China Sea

15 November 2022
Germany-based Robotextile is one of several companies attempting to bring more automation to garment marking, an industry that still relies heavily on human labor. (Photo courtesy of Robotextile)
Business trends

Can 'gripper' robots shift garment making from Asia to the West?

New tech could make production less labor intensive but energy costs may be issue

15 November 2022
A coal barge is pulled along a river in Indonesia, the Philippines' main source of imported coal.
Energy

Philippines' shift away from coal expands with Ayala deal

Government and companies aim high on renewables, but cost hurdles remain

10 November 2022
Jollibee Foods says it is ending its Dunkin' joint venture in China after struggling to expand the chain. (Source photos by Kyodo and AFP/Jiji) 
Food & Beverage

Philippines' Jollibee ends Dunkin' coffee venture in China

Expansion-minded fast-food group encounters setback in key market

9 November 2022
SMFG and RCBC will partner in digital banking and other areas. (Photo by Koji Uema)
Business deals

Japan's SMFG boosts stake in Philippine bank RCBC for $460m

Fresh investment will gain a 20% share in country's sixth-largest lender

3 November 2022
Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels conduct a towing drill on Oct. 28. (Photo by Yuichi Shiga)
South China Sea

Philippine Coast Guard trains with U.S., Japan as Marcos vows to modernize

New president has taken a tougher line on territorial matters in waters contested by China

30 October 2022
Thai Air Asia's reservations for flights to Japan are on the rise ahead of the holiday season.
Travel & Leisure

Thailand, Singapore tourists jump in line as Japan opens borders

Southeast Asia travel industry eyes recovery with weak yen fueling strong demand

26 October 2022
A man walks beside a damaged Korean Air plane after it overshot the runway at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu, central Philippines, on Oct. 24.
Transportation

Korean Air plane overshoots runway, shuts Philippine airport

Dozens of flights canceled at Mactan-Cebu; no injuries reported

24 October 2022
Kazuo Okada is in a battle for control over Okada Manila, a casino in the Philippine capital. (File photo by Nozomu Ogawa)
Media & Entertainment

Kazuo Okada vows to keep up Philippine casino fight after arrest

'I will not back off,' says Japanese tycoon in dispute over Okada Manila

21 October 2022
A Jollibee fast-food restaurant in New York. The company is focusing on increasing its footprint in North America and China. (Photo courtesy of Jollibee Foods)
Companies

Asian fast-food giant Jollibee eyes doubling sales in 5 years

CEO unveils post-pandemic plan that includes M&As in recent interview

21 October 2022
Children play video games on their phones at a market in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on July 21, 2020.
Society

Philippine SIM card registration law aims to end text scams

Opponents say legislation could lead to state surveillance of government critics

19 October 2022
Japan's attractiveness as a place to work continues to fade as the yen weakens and wages rise in other Asian countries.
Datawatch

Foreign workers shun Japan as yen's value plunges

Average wage in dollar terms falls 40% over 10 years

16 October 2022
Mitsukoshi department store will be located just north of Bonifacio Global City, a new business district in Metro Manila. (Image courtesy of Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings)
Retail

Japan's Mitsukoshi set to open in Manila this year

Philippines' 1st Japanese department store aims to win over young middle class

16 October 2022
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila on Oct. 5: The new president began to chart an independent path.
Opinion

Marcos policy reboot boosts his family but upsets the Dutertes

Philippine president wins goodwill with statesmanship in place of capriciousness

12 October 2022
A child receives a COVID-19 shot in Phnom Penh earlier this year. Cambodia and Vietnam both ramped up vaccinations dramatically.
COVID-19 Recovery Index

Vietnam, Cambodia lead ASEAN comeback in Nikkei COVID index

World Cup host Qatar on top; 'zero COVID' China stuck in middle of pack

10 October 2022