Philippines

Grab will offer air passengers the ability to book ground transportation outside Southeast Asia through a tie-up with SmartRyde and Splyt. (Source photos by SamrtRyde, Splyt and Ken Kobayashi)
Startups

Grab to let air passengers book ground transport worldwide

Service will facilitate airport-to-hotel rides for Southeast Asian travelers

7 July 2022
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, visits Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 6, in this photo posted on Marcos' Twitter account. (Photo courtesy of Philippine president's office)
International relations

China's foreign minister visits Marcos to deepen Philippine ties

Beijing pursues 'new golden era' under successor to Duterte

6 July 2022
Stream article image
Feeding Asia

Hunger in Asia on the rise

Inflation, COVID-19, climate, conflict drive food insecurity

6 July 2022
Fintech startup MarCoPay operates a platform that provides a range of financial services for Philippine sailors through a smartphone app. (Screenshot from NYK group Youtube site)
Startups

Philippines startup MarCoPay gives sailors financial freedom at sea

App has grown from wage payment into wider financial services including lending

5 July 2022
A breast cancer patient smokes a joint in Bangkok after marijuana was decriminalized last month. Across Asia, cannabis policies remain broadly restrictive, with some inconsistencies and loopholes.
Asia Insight

Smoke signals: Thailand blazes trail for cannabis in wary Asia

Recreational use still far-off prospect as taboos persist from ASEAN to Japan

5 July 2022
The economies of ASEAN's five biggest members will grow 5.0% in 2022, according to the latest survey by JCER and Nikkei in June, thanks to the reopening of borders.
Economy

ASEAN economy to slow down in 2nd half of 2022: JCER/Nikkei survey

Economists see inflation, U.S. rate hikes weighing on region despite COVID easing

4 July 2022
In Thailand, issuances from companies such as food producer Thai Union and Skytrain operator BTS have surged from 2018 to 2021.
Bonds

ASEAN governments rush to issue green bonds

From Thailand to Singapore, sustainable financing up in the face of climate change

4 July 2022
Mahathir Mohamad was Malaysia's prime minister during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, when he took the controversial decision to defy IMF advice on how to manage the situation. (Source photo by Tetsuya Kitayama) 
Market Spotlight

Mahathir: Deeper currency markets have cut risk of Asian financial crisis repeat

But former Malaysian PM says Sri Lanka is a lesson to region's governments

4 July 2022
Nicknamed "The Monster," Naoya Inoue is known for his ferocious speed and high knockout rate.
Sports

Japan's Naoya Inoue destroys boxing stereotypes

'The Monster' only one crown away from becoming undisputed bantamweight champ

2 July 2022
Philippine developer DoubleDragon is starting to develop its Hotel 101 brand overseas.(Photo by Yuichi Shiga)
Travel & Leisure

Philippine developer DoubleDragon to build hotel in Hokkaido

First overseas Hotel 101 inn aimed at post-COVID demand in Japan's Niseko area

1 July 2022
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, takes the oath of office beside his wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos, in Manila on June 30.
Politics

Marcos hails dictator father as he takes over Philippine presidency

New leader faces food supply concerns and tricky ties with China

30 June 2022
The Philippines' soon-to-be-former President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a rally in Davao in May. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Duterte's controversial legacy: Making Philippine strongmen 'cool'

Biographer expects firebrand to stay active after Marcos replaces him on Thursday

29 June 2022
Lobbyists say the U.S. should expand its GSP trade preference program to include garments if it also adds more stringent criteria for qualifying countries.
Business trends

Southeast Asia manufacturers sweat as U.S. mulls tougher tariff rules

Amendment could add human and environmental rights to eligibility criteria

29 June 2022
For Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to tap the Philippines' significant potential, the new president needs to ditch his father's economic playbook.
The Nikkei View

Philippine President Marcos needs to learn from father's mistakes

New leader faces tough choices on infrastructure and fiscal health

29 June 2022
Men drink beer on the street in Hanoi. Vietnam is Southeast Asia's largest consumer of beer.
Food & Beverage

From Thailand to Vietnam, Asia acquires taste for buzz-lite alcohol

COVID and rising incomes fuel demand for healthier, low-proof alternatives

28 June 2022
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the 64-year-old namesake son of the late Philippine dictator, will take his oath as the country’s 17th president at the National Museum in the city of Manila on June 30.
Your Week in Asia

Philippine president inauguration, Widodo visits Putin, Hong Kong anniversary

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

26 June 2022
The Philippines' central bank hiked its key rate for the second straight meeting on June 23.
Economy

Philippines hikes key interest rate again as inflation accelerates

Second hike in two months raises benchmark to 2.5%; Indonesia stands pat

23 June 2022
Startup SariSuki, through its Supah app, is promising deliveries within 15 minutes from time of order as it seeks to take advantage of a surge in online shopping. (Source photos courtesy of SariSuki and by Cliff Venzon)
Startups

Philippine startup takes on Grab with 15-minute grocery delivery

Gokongwei-backed SariSuki braves Manila's traffic jams with new service

22 June 2022
Philippine ports and casino billionaire Enrique Razon is aiming to build the world's largest solar power facility. (Source photo by Getty Images) 
IPO

Philippine tycoon Razon eyes up to $473m infrastructure arm IPO

Casino and ports billionaire plans to build world's largest solar power project

21 June 2022
Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport is expected to welcome many more tourists now that Thailand has dropped strict COVID restrictions.
Coronavirus

ASEAN tourism on the road to business as usual

Thailand to relax mask and alcohol rules; Indonesia drops mandatory insurance

21 June 2022
Philippine President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., center, raises hands with the Senate president and the House speaker during his proclamation at the House of Representatives, in Quezon City, Metro Manila on May 25.
Politics

Marcos to take Philippine farming portfolio in inflation battle

President-elect, seeing possible food shortages, vows to revamp sector

20 June 2022
Sara Duterte, left, takes her oath as vice president beside her parents Elizabeth Zimmerman, center, and outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte during rites in her hometown in Davao city, southern Philippines on June 19. 
Politics

Sara Duterte sworn in as Philippines vice president

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be sworn in as president on June 30

19 June 2022
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. during his proclamation on May 25: The new president will most likely forward their business interests through favorable government contracts and policies.
Opinion

The oligarchs likely to benefit most under Bongbong Marcos

Incoming president's initial cabinet appointments give some clues

19 June 2022
Chinese mobile payment apps WeChat Pay and Alipay are gaining users throughout Southeast Asia, prompting interest in government-issued digital currencies.
Economy

Philippines, Vietnam study digital currencies as Alipay, WeChat Pay spread

More Southeast Asian countries moving in the direction of early issuer Cambodia

17 June 2022
The assets of VistaREIT, which listed on the Philippine stock market on June 15, include 10 shopping centers and two office towers. (Source photos by AP and screenshot from Vista Mall Taguig's Facebook page) 
IPO

Philippine billionaire Villar's REIT ends first trading day flat

VistaREIT plunges by as much as 9% amid global rout

15 June 2022