Politics

Indonesian presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo delivers a speech during a campaign rally Jan. 21 in Bandung, the capital of West Java province.
Indonesia election

Ganjar Pranowo, Indonesia's once-rising star aiming to regain support

Ruling party's presidential candidate struggles as Jokowi backers shift to Prabowo

3 February 2024
Palestinians walk past a house destroyed by an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, in early January.
International relations

Indonesia and Sri Lanka blast EU for 'double standards' on Gaza

Indo-Pacific and ASEAN meetings with Europe underscore divided views

3 February 2024
Indonesia's new presidential palace is taking shape in Nusantara, as workers scramble to finish construction by August, when the country marks its independence.  (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
Editor-in-Chief’s Picks

Letter from Nikkei Asia's editor: Capital costs

Shin Nakayama shares his weekly reflections and recommendations

2 February 2024
Indonesian presidential candidate Anies Baswedan delivers a speech while campaigning in Pamekasan, East Java province on Jan. 31. (Antara Foto via Reuters)
Indonesia election

Anies Baswedan, ex-Jakarta governor who wants to break from Jokowi policies

Academic-turned-politician trails front-runner Prabowo in presidential race

2 February 2024
An aerial view of the ongoing construction of Nusantara, Indonesia's new capital on Borneo island, seen in December 2023. The large building in the foreground will be a grand presidential palace. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
The Big Story

Indonesia's new capital hinges on election as Jokowi set to exit

With most funding from private sector, Nusantara struggles to convince investors it is here to stay

31 January 2024
Indonesian presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, Left, has won the backing of radical Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir
Indonesia election

Radical Indonesian cleric gives backing to presidential hopeful Anies

Abu Bakar Bashir was once spiritual leader of extremist group behind Bali bombings

30 January 2024
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and current President Joe Biden. Asian countries are watching closely how the U.S. presidential election will play out and what impact it will have on their countries should Trump be elected.
Comment

Asia braces for Trump comeback and major U.S. policy reversal

Fears mount the former president might kill Biden-led IPEF economic deal

25 January 2024
The main determiners of Indonesia's presidential election on Feb. 14 will be millennials and Generation Z, who make up 60% of voters. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi)
Asia Insight

Indonesian election highlights young voters' employment concerns

Jokowi's successor faces reform challenge to create middle-class jobs

23 January 2024
Indonesian vice presidential candidates Mohammad Mahfud MD, left, Muhaimin Iskandar, center, and Gibran Rakabuming attend a debate on Jan. 21. (Photo captured from General Elections Commission's YouTube)
Indonesia election

Indonesia election race heats up over Jokowi's nickel strategy

Gibran defends father's industrialization push that rival slams as 'reckless'

22 January 2024
Indonesian Defense Minister and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, left, and running mate Gibran Rakabuming, who is the eldest son of President Joko Widodo, appear at a debate in Jakarta on Jan. 7.
Indonesia election

Jokowi boosts policy support for Prabowo as Indonesia vote nears

Leading presidential candidate benefits from incumbent's high popularity

15 January 2024
In 2023, Indonesia recorded 79 IPOs that raised 54.24 trillion rupiah ( $3.5 billion) compared to 59 listings in 2022 gathering 33.06 trillion in proceeds.
DealStreetAsia

Indonesia may see major listings in 2024, but after election

IPO hopefuls need compelling narrative amid tough economic landscape

15 January 2024
Indonesian President Joko Widodo signs the guestbook at  Malacanang Palace on Jan. 10, as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. looks on.
International relations

Indonesia's Jokowi seeks ASEAN unity as term winds down

Code of conduct for South China Sea on agenda during final regional tour

11 January 2024
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meet in Manila on Jan. 10. (Photo courtesy of Indonesia's Presidential Palace)
International relations

Philippines and Indonesia agree to strengthen security cooperation

Marcos and Jokowi discuss South China Sea issues and ASEAN unity

10 January 2024
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, right, greets his Philippine counterpart, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, on May 10, 2023.
International relations

Indonesia's Jokowi begins trip to Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei

Talks to include economy and defense as China's clout grows

9 January 2024
Indonesian Defense Minister and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto speaks during a televised debate at the Istora Senayan stadium in Jakarta on Jan. 7.
Indonesia election

Indonesia's Prabowo grilled over fighter jet plan in third debate

Presidential hopeful vows 'good neighbor' policy amid South China Sea tensions

8 January 2024
Parts of Asia are getting ready for major elections in 2024, while many people across the globe look forward to enjoying the Paris Olympics. In August, Indonesia will transfer some top government functions from Jakarta to Nusantara, its new capital. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Ken Kobayashi, AP and Dimas Ardian)
31 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
Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming speaks at an Indonesian vice presidential debate in Jakarta on Dec. 22.
Indonesia election

Jokowi's son talks AI, capital move in Indonesia's 2nd election debate

Gibran in spotlight as vice presidential nominees contrast economic platforms

23 December 2023
From left, Ganjar Pranowo, presidential candidate of Indonesia's ruling PDI-P, and his running mate, Mahfud MD, pose for photographs after registering at the election commission headquarters in Jakarta on Oct. 19.
Indonesia election

Indonesia VP hopeful pledges to stamp out corruption, cut red tape

Mahfud MD threatens to throw graft convicts into prisons where terrorists are held

22 December 2023
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo visits a construction site in Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara, on Dec. 21. (Cabinet Secretariat of Indonesia)
Economy

Jokowi breaks ground for police station, hospital in new capital

Construction of key facilities underway as Indonesia prepares for relocation

21 December 2023
Olivier Rabourdin, president director at Thales Indonesia. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding "for strategic cooperation" regarding a smart city in the country's new capital of Nusantara. (Photo by Nana Shibata)
Technology

Thales aims for smart city development in Indonesia's new capital

European company keen to provide expertise in Nusantara as relocation approaches

18 December 2023
Indonesia's high-speed railway has increased service frequency and maintained occupancy above 80%. (Photo by Tomoyoshi Oshikiri) 
Transportation

Indonesia's new train offers chance to improve views of China

With occupancy above 80%, discontent about project turns into praise for technology

17 December 2023
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, back left, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida applaud as Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, front right, and Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi shake hands during a document exchange ceremony on Dec. 16. in Tokyo.
Trade

Indonesia and Japan agree on removing more trade barriers

Tokyo to remove tariffs on processed fishery items, sides to improve banking relations

16 December 2023
Indonesian presidential candidates Ganjar Pranowo, left, Prabowo Subianto, center, and Anies Baswedan attend a televised debate in Jakarta on Dec. 12.
Indonesia election

Prabowo attacked on human rights in Indonesia's 1st presidential debate

Frontrunner also grilled over how he was able to name Jokowi's son his running mate

13 December 2023
Indonesian presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo, right, is greeted during campaigning for the 2024 election in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan province, on Dec. 5. Candidates have been crisscrossing the country to gain support from voters.
11 December 2023