Politics

Japan's economy minister proposed a new working group with the U.S. and the EU on subsidies and procurement. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Interview

Japan eyes joint EV, chip subsidy rules with U.S., Europe: official

Economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura urges cooperation to avoid protectionism

24 October 2023
Whether Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will call a snap election has been the biggest question in Japanese politics for weeks.
Politics

Japan PM Kishida faces shrinking political options after election loss

Party's struggle on Sunday clouds prospects for snap vote

24 October 2023
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa speaks at an event in Tokyo commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Japan-China bilateral peace and friendship treaty. (Photo by Yutaka Miyaguchi)
International relations

Japan-China friendship pact's 45th year marred by fresh tensions

Business community calls for top-level bilateral dialogue at anniversary event

24 October 2023
Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz: In 2018, 76% of crude oil traveling through the strait was bound for Asia.
Opinion

India, Japan and South Korea should work together to protect shipping

Renewed Middle East fighting highlights energy security vulnerability

23 October 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks in parliament on Oct. 23. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
Politics

Japan's Kishida vows to prioritize economic steps to fight inflation

Prime minister pledges to extend energy subsidies to help consumers

23 October 2023
The Bayan Obo rare-earth mine in China's Inner Mongolia.
International relations

China detains local staffer handling rare metals at Japan trader

Latest incident comes as Beijing clamps down on information leaks

23 October 2023
A BMW electric car is displayed at a motor show in Thailand earlier this year. The country is now gearing up to host an expo dedicated to EVs.
Your Week in Asia

Kishida policy speech, Bangkok EV show, Seoul Halloween tragedy memorial

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

22 October 2023
Nikkei examines China's growing impact on the lithium supply chain in this three-part infographic series.
Supply Chain

Lithium wars: The global struggle for 'white diamonds'

China's impact on supply chains is affecting access to this critical resource

22 October 2023
Wendy Cutler, former acting deputy U.S. trade representative, speaks at the Mount Fuji Dialogue in Tokyo on Oct. 21. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
International relations

U.S. tech export curbs may not fit Japan's interests: former trade official

Security experts highlight 'challenges' in coordinating action against China

21 October 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a video message to the Mount Fuji Dialogue in Tokyo on Oct. 21. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
International relations

Japan PM Kishida says international order in 'grave crisis'

At Tokyo forum, U.S. official stresses importance of export controls

21 October 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters at his office in Tokyo on Oct. 20 about his instructions to consider an income tax cut. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Economy

Japan's tax cut proposal fuels concern over fiscal health

Kishida kicks off debate as officials stress reduction will be temporary

21 October 2023
Raymond Greene, deputy chief of mission for the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, attends Industry Day on Oct. 19, where defense contractors from the U.S. and Japan marketed products to the American military. (Photo by Yusuke Takeuchi)
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Japanese defense contractors pitch wares to U.S. military

Tokyo seeks to tap American repair, space needs to boost its domestic industry

20 October 2023
Joseph Nye, a former U.S. assistant secretary of defense, says Washington should be wary of concluding that "we've reached 'peak China.'" He was speaking at the CSIS/Nikkei symposium on Oct. 20 in Tokyo. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Defense

U.S. must hold on to its 'One China' policy, Joseph Nye says

At Tokyo forum, Japan's defense minister calls on Beijing for 'dialogue'

20 October 2023
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara discussed promoting dual-use technology to advance innovation. (Photo by Yusuke Takeuchi) 
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Japan defense minister stresses innovation through dual-use tech

Cooperation with private sector can benefit country as a whole, Kihara says

20 October 2023
An Australian air force fighter during a demonstration. The country looks to boost its jets' surveillance capabilities with Mitsubishi laser tech.
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Mitsubishi Electric lands Australia defense contract in industry first

Laser surveillance deal marks first by Japanese company with foreign government

20 October 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is considering a temporary income tax cut to provide relief to consumers amid rising prices. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai) 
Politics

Japan's Kishida to push for temporary income tax cut

Tax relief to be financed partly by surplus in tax revenue

20 October 2023
China has been clamping down harder on foreign companies over alleged spying.
International relations

China's Astellas arrest seen fueling retreat by foreign companies

Businesses rethink investment amid lack of clarity over broadening crackdown

20 October 2023
China introduced an anti-espionage law in 2014 and revised it in July.
Society

China formally arrests Japanese man for alleged espionage

Employee of drugmaker Astellas detained since March; Tokyo requests his release

19 October 2023
Japanese companies have used the international trainee program as a source of labor in fields such as construction. (Photo by Eri Watanabe)
Japan immigration

Japan moves to let foreign workers change jobs under new trainee program

Flexibility and relaxed stay requirements proposed to improve troubled system

19 October 2023
The Astellas Pharma logo at the company's Tokyo headquarters: A Japanese employee of the drugmaker has been detained in China since March.
The Nikkei View

China must immediately end unfair detention of foreign nationals

Tokyo should employ top-level diplomacy to secure citizens' release

18 October 2023
South Korean, Japanese and U.S. destroyers sail together while conducting a trilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan.
Defense

U.S. military open to drafting contingency plans with Japan, South Korea

Washington still vigilant against North Korea and China amid Israel crisis, general says

18 October 2023
A startup event in Fukuoka, Japan. Japanese startups face tighter crowdfunding caps than peers in Western economies. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu)
Startups

Japan eyes higher startup crowdfunding cap for retail investors

Kishida turns to household savings for fueling growth sector investments

18 October 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping raises his glass and proposes a toast at the end of his speech during the Belt and Road Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, April 26, 2019.
Your Week in Asia

Belt and Road Forum, Foxconn Technology Day, China GDP

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

15 October 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Japanese scallops. China had been the main importer of the scallops before it banned seafood from Japan. (NIKKEI montage/Source photos by Reuters and Kyodo)
Comment

Multilateral action key in fight against China's economic coercion

Beijing's ban on Japanese seafood can only backfire

14 October 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Oct. 12.
International relations

Russia, China, U.S. and more woo Central Asia with summit diplomacy

Moscow's fading influence in its backyard opens door for Western charm offensive

14 October 2023