Shinzo Abe, left, shakes hands with Donald Trump in September 2019: The late Japanese prime minister managed U.S. ties effectively. 
Opinion

2024 outlook: Asia shouldn't focus too much on Donald Trump

Framework for peace and stability that stands apart from U.S.-China faceoff needed

1 January 2024
A U.S. nuclear submarine arrives at a naval base on the South Korean island of Jeju in July.
Defense

Can Washington and Seoul tame South Koreans' nuclear ambitions?

Doubts linger on U.S. commitment to defend ally as North continues atomic buildup

31 December 2023
A fighter jet lands on the deck of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier during a deployment to the South China Sea. U.S.-China military talks aim at reducing tensions and the risk of accidents.
US-China tensions

U.S. and China to resume staff-level military dialogue in January

Beijing picking defense chief paves the way for ministerial talks

31 December 2023
From left, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and People’s Council of Turkmenistan Chairman Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov attend the annual summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 3. (Organization of Turkic States)
International relations

U.S. has golden opportunity to engage Central Asia's Turkic states: analysts

In race to replace Russia, China and Iran also eye greater role in region

31 December 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sees robust infrastructure as key to defending his country against foreign aggression. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Comment

What the world can learn from Zelenskyy's not-so-secret weapon

Ukraine's resilient social infrastructure helps repel Russian onslaught

29 December 2023
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has stepped up investment in such destinations as the U.S. and Europe. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Economy

Taiwan investment in China plummets as it soars in U.S. and Germany

Mainland's appeal ebbs amid flagging economy and rising tensions

29 December 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with India's top diplomat, S. Jaishankar, in Moscow on Dec. 27.
International relations

India and Russia inch closer to jointly producing weapons

In meeting with Jaishankar, Putin conveys invitation for Modi to visit Russia

28 December 2023
Vladimir Putin has been providing Xi Jinping with occasional morsels of information to keep China on Russia's side. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Getty Images and Reuters)
China up close

Analysis: Putin promises Xi to 'fight for five years' in Ukraine

Meant to keep China on Russia's side, the words in March prompted Beijing to hedge its bets

28 December 2023
Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker Shun Tai is seen anchored at the Kozmino terminal in Nakhodka Bay near the Russian port city of Nakhodka. 
International relations

China-Russia ties in Arctic keep U.S. and Canada on alert

Alaska and Yukon territory share info as warships and thin-hulled tankers pass by

28 December 2023
Ambassador Octavio Cortes, Brazil's envoy to Japan, spoke with the Nikkei about his country's hopes for an economic partnership agreement with Japan.
International relations

Japan needs early EPA talks with Mercosur: Brazilian envoy

Tax reform makes Brazil more attractive for investment, ambassador says

27 December 2023
The Japanese government's legal victory over Okinawan authorities means work may soon resume on the transfer of a U.S. military base to the Henoko coastal area.
Politics

Japan moves forward on U.S. base transfer after 10 years of delays

Work to resume in January after government overrides Okinawa governor

27 December 2023
Google and Apple both require mobile apps to generally use their billing systems. (Photo by Masaharu Ban)
Technology

Japan to crack down on Apple and Google app store monopolies

Antitrust curbs to require tech giants to allow third-party app platforms and billing

27 December 2023
Bangladesh, Taiwan, South Korea and Sri Lanka are also set to go to the polls next year, while Asia's focus will shift to the U.S. Presidential race later in 2024. (Photo by Ken KobayashI)
Asia Insight

From India and Pakistan to Indonesia, Asia set for election-packed 2024

Over a billion people will be voting but democracy questions cloud some races

26 December 2023
From this snowy stretch of road, 6 kilometers from the Russian border, reporters are allowed to enter Sumy province, Ukraine. (Photo by Eiji Furukawa)
Ukraine war

Refugees flock to northeast Ukraine from Russia-occupied areas

Russification gathers steam as Kyiv's counteroffensive struggles

24 December 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country will fight on until the Russian military completely pulls out of its territory. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images)
Comment

How Ukraine can win the war against the Russian 'Goliath'

Higher morale and change in tactics could pave the way for victory

23 December 2023
U.S. Army soldiers perform pre-launch checks on a Patriot missile launcher at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. (U.S. Air Force) 
Indo-Pacific

Japan's Patriot-missile transfer to U.S. stuns Indo-Pacific watchers

Biden's focus on Ukraine undermines deterrence against China, analysts say

23 December 2023
Houthi boats seize the Galaxy Leader car carrier on Nov. 20. Attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted shipping routes. (Houthi Military Media via Reuters)
Supply Chain

Red Sea attacks threaten to cut global shipping capacity 20%

Supply chain disruptions lead to delays and higher prices, experts warn

23 December 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, with Henry Kissinger in Beijing in 2018: A lingering Kissingerian mindset still crimps U.S. policy toward an increasingly muscular China. (Pool via Reuters)
Opinion

Kissinger's corrosive legacy still weighs on U.S. policy in Asia

Strategy of aiding China's rise has come back to bite Washington and its allies

22 December 2023
Chairman Jin Roy Ryu of the Federation of Korean Industries speaks to reporters in Seoul on Dec. 21. (Photo courtesy of FKI)
International relations

South Korea business lobby seeks regular meetings with U.S., Japan

Chairman Jin Roy Ryu calls for talks on chip and EV supply chains

22 December 2023
The Japanese Self-Defense Forces conduct a drill involving Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles in August 2017.
Defense

Japan weighs allowing Patriot missile transfers to aid Ukraine

Rule change would give U.S. flexibility with arms requested to refill stockpile

21 December 2023
Ukrainian soldiers are seen on a tank during a training exercise on Dec. 6. The war with Russia is now in a stalemate.
The Nikkei View

EU should unite in support of Ukraine

European bloc must show resolve to protect democracy and rule of law

20 December 2023
Polls show a majority of young voters opposes U.S. President Joe Biden's stance on Israel.
Middle East crisis

Biden grapples to find right path on Gaza amid voter discontent

News media shift tone toward cease-fire, negotiated Hamas exit

20 December 2023
From left, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meet in San Francisco in November. The countries seek to bolster cooperation in the face of security challenges in East Asia.
Defense

U.S., Japan, South Korea start sharing missile information in real time

North Korean advances spur push for quicker, more accurate analysis

20 December 2023
A Patriot missile defense system near the Defense Ministry in Tokyo. (Photo by Yoshiyuki Tamai)
Defense

Japan seen fulfilling U.S. request for Patriot missiles

Move would mark 1st lethal weapon shipment under rules adopted in 2014

20 December 2023
The Galaxy Leader car carrier chartered by Japan's NYK Line is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea on Nov. 20. (Houthi Military Media via Reuters)
Transportation

Japan container shipper ONE halts Red Sea route amid Houthi attacks

Growing list of operators redirect vessels, threatening to disrupt supply chains

20 December 2023