Politics

President Vladimir Putin meets with Russian service personnel at the Kremlin in Moscow.
Ukraine war: Free to read

Ukraine Sept. 25 to Oct. 1: Putin signs decree calling up 130,000 in fall draft

U.S. government's temporary funding bill signed by Biden drops aid to Ukraine

2 October 2023
Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen says that while the country is seeking "like-minded" partners to invest in its critical minerals industry, all are welcome. (Photo by Rhyannon Bartlett-Imadegawa)
Interview

Finland hopes China will help end Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Helsinki keen to explore Indo-Pacific security and defense cooperation

1 October 2023
Japanese and German air forces last year conducted joint training in airspace around Japan for the first time. (Photo courtesy of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force)
Defense

Japan, Germany to start negotiations on defense cross-servicing deal

Talks mark latest step toward deeper security cooperation

30 September 2023
The German government approved COSCO Shipping's purchase of a stake in a Hamburg port terminal earlier this year, a deal that was opposed by many politicians. (Photo by Jens Kastner)
International relations

Germany to tighten Chinese investment screening

Berlin blocks satellite startup buy, widens probe beyond critical infrastructure

29 September 2023
Royal Air Force Typhoons are parked at in Linconshire, U.K. The U.K., Italy and Japan are jointly developing next-generation fighter jets for delivery in 2035.
Defense

U.K. 'exploring' Saudi entry to fighter jet project with Italy and Japan

British GCAP point man urges deal this year to launch 3-way government body

24 September 2023
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a news conference after addressing the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Sept. 23.
24 September 2023
Estonian President Alar Karis says that the growing relationship between Russia and North Korea "doesn't make us very happy." (Photo by Mana Yumi)
Interview

Russia-North Korea nuclear cooperation danger to all: Estonian president

Karis calls on international community to step in against weapons development

22 September 2023
BYD shows off its Seal model ahead of the 2023 Munich Auto Show on Sept. 4. The Chinese automakers received 1.78 billion yuan in subsidies in the first half of the year.
Electric cars in China

China gives EV sector billions of yuan in subsidies

Brussels' targeted probe sheds new light on long-standing practices

21 September 2023
Police officers try to block an entrance of the government building during a protest against Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, demanding that authorities defend ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, in Yerevan on Sept. 20. (Photolure via AP)
International relations

Azerbaijan claims full control over the Nagorno-Karabakh region

Armenian forces agree to disarm after latest outbreak of decades-old conflict

21 September 2023
The Global Combat Air Programme, a collaboration between Japan, Italy and the U.K., is tipped to be the future of Japan's air force as part of the government's more proactive approach to defense. 
The Big Story

Japan's new jet fighter alliance pushes limits of defense policy

Collaboration with U.K. and Italy forces Tokyo to reconsider constitutional restrictions on arms exports

20 September 2023
French carmakers, such as Renault, stand to gain from a new government policy to give a "green bonus" to buyers of electric vehicles made using greener fuels.   
Automobiles

France reforms EV subsidy to freeze out China-made cars

A buyer will get up to $5,360 bonus for vehicle produced in low-carbon process

19 September 2023
Japanese Self-Defense Force members take part in Brunet Takamori 2023 in New Caledonia. (Photo courtesy of France’s Pacific Marine Infantry Regiment of New Caledonia)
Indo-Pacific

France, Japan ground troops conduct 1st joint drills in Pacific

New Caledonia exercise named after officer who inspired 'The Last Samurai'

19 September 2023
Finnair Vice President Jenni Suomela tells Nikkei Asia that the airline's South Korean business is recovering faster than its Japan operations. (Photo by Rhyannon Bartlett-Imadegawa)
Travel & Leisure

Finnair turns Asia focus to megacities due to Ukraine war

Russian airspace closure clips airline as it pins hopes on hubs like Shanghai

19 September 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting New York for the United Nations General Assembly this week. (Handout photo from the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service)
19 September 2023
A worker unloads palm oil fruit bunches at a factory in Tanjung Karang, Malaysia. Profits at Malaysian palm oil companies have been plummeting.
Trade

Malaysia to double palm oil exports to China, dodge EU restrictions

The two Asian nations sign infrastructure investment deals worth $4.2bn

18 September 2023
A drone operator prepares for takeoff at a test site on the outskirts of Kyiv. (Photo by Taro Yokosawa)
Ukraine war

From drones to cyberattacks, technology is shaping Ukraine conflict

Kyiv is going through an estimated 10,000 drones a month in fight against Russia

16 September 2023
Andrii Sybiha, deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, is seeking Japan's help in shoring up its defenses against Russian drone attacks. (Photo by Taro Yokosawa)
Ukraine war

Ukraine will ask Japan to help with anti-drone technology

Presidential office's deputy head says country has 'ambitious plans'

12 September 2023
The prospect of deflation, after decades of rapid expansion, has loomed over the world's second-biggest economy since July's consumer prices reverse.
Asia Insight

China deflation dread stalks property trade, struggling firms

Summer CPI gloom leaves consumers, markets bracing for impact of weak demand

12 September 2023
British lawmakers pressed the government for answers after news broke that two men, one who was a parliamentary researcher, were arrested on suspicion of spying for China.
International relations

U.K. lawmakers slam official China policy on news of spy arrest

PM says Britain 'clear' it will not take interference; suspect worked in Commons

12 September 2023
People walk past a banner of the Eastern Economic Forum at Vladivostok International Airport on Sept. 10.
Ukraine war: Free to read

Ukraine from Sept.4 to Sept.11: Russia kicks off Eastern Economic Forum

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi makes unannounced visit to Ukraine

12 September 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, welcomes Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in Kyiv on Sept. 9. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
Ukraine war

Japan FM Hayashi meets Zelenskyy during surprise visit to Ukraine

Rakuten chief among Japanese business delegation that took part in trip

10 September 2023
Japan's Ministry of Defense uploaded a promotional English-language video to YouTube ahead of the London defense expo. (Screen capture from YouTube video)
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Japan makes defense exports push at U.K. expo

Fujitsu, NEC join with Defense Ministry to showcase tech

8 September 2023
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Most read in 2023

China's Belt and Road at crossroads as more loans turn sour

10 years in, Beijing enjoys greater clout but new investments trend down

7 September 2023
British and Japanese trade officials met in London on Sept. 6. (Photo by Anna Nishino)
International relations

Japan and U.K. launch economic security dialogue

Ministers confirm cooperation on critical minerals for supply chain resilience

7 September 2023
The EU hopes to give local companies more of a fighting chance by regulating foreign tech giants.
Technology

Apple, TikTok owner named among 'gatekeepers' in EU tech rules

World's biggest technology companies listed for first time under digital competition law

7 September 2023