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June 7th, 2018

Imagining a unified Korea

Experts weigh in on the practical challenges and potential ramifications of a North-South union

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The Big Story

Imagining a unified Korea

Experts weigh in on the practical challenges and potential ramifications of a North-South union

After more than 70 years of separation, what would it take to bring North and South Korea together? (Illustrations by Eric Chow)
Robert Kuok Hock Nien, an ethnic Chinese-Malaysian tycoon, has built a multinational business empire, including his hospitality arm, Shangri-La Hotels. (Photos from Getty Images and Reuters)
Asian Family Conglomerates

Mahathir's 94-year-old top adviser rekindles China connections

Robert Kuok, Malaysian 'sugar king,' takes on new role seen as rebooting empire

The inclusion of A-shares will see 234 mainland-listed stocks, including distiller Kweichow Moutai, joining the MSCI China Index.
Equities

China's overlooked stocks enter spotlight with MSCI debut

Liquor company Kweichow Moutai and state-owned industrials are seen as beneficiaries

Jack Ma, right, receives a durian from a Thai official in April in Bangkok. The co-founder of Alibaba Group Holding has signed $352.4 million in deals to expand his company in Thailand.
Companies

Thai e-retailers brace for Jack Ma's 'great durian road'

Alibaba offers fruit growers and farmers access to massive China market

The Tokyo Girls Collection show in 2017. The company is hoping to replicate its success overseas through various collaborations. (Photo by Yasunori Okamura)
Business trends

Tokyo Girls Collection attracts partners -- and fans -- in Asia

Fashion show expands its marketing platform to engage with teens and young women

A woman takes a selfie at a "cat expo" held in Kuala Lumpur in the fall of 2017. (Courtesy of Murni Ekspo)
Business trends

Pet goods businesses seize their chance as cats catch on in Asia

More city dwellers in region seek feline companionship

Masayoshi Son wants to set up the funds,the Vision Fund 2,3,and 4,every two or three years.
Companies

SoftBank's $100 billion tech fund zeros in on big data

As the Vision Fund turns one, its first big big payday is on the way

Siam Cement Group is now the sole owner of what is to become Vietnam's first petrochemical complex. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Companies

Siam Cement takes over stalled $5.4bn Vietnam petrochemical project

Thai conglomerate now sees 2023 start to production at Long Son

A Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 plane takes off at Changi Airport.
Asia300

Singapore Air revives world's longest flight with fuel-efficient jet

Carrier sees business travel demand for nearly 19-hour route to New York

The Petronas Towers stand in Kuala Lumpur. The oil industry must maintain discipline on costs despite rising crude prices, CEO Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin says.
Companies

Petronas to stay 'disciplined' on costs despite 39% Q1 profit gain

Malaysian oil group benefits from rising crude prices

(© Nikkei montage/Source photos by Getty Images)
Asia Insight

China emerges as wild card in elections across Asia

Incumbents draw on Beijing's support as opponents tap resentment of its influence

The EU, Mexico and Canada have promised to retaliate to steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by the U.S.
Trade war

US sends message to China with metal tariffs as allies retaliate

Beijing calls for 'normal trade order' while EU presses countermeasures

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, front, visited Beijing for a third round of trade talks with China, but the two sides failed to issue a joint statement June 3.
Trade war

Trump's trade flip-flop puts China on edge

Beijing delivers its own statement after latest talks with US

From left, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and Chinese People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Science Deputy President He Lei attend the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore on June 2.
International relations

Suspicion and tension blight Asia's security landscape

North Korea denuclearization and South China Sea remain friction points

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 1. (Photo by Simon Roughneen)
International relations

India and China should work together for Asia's future: Modi

Belt and Road needs to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, leader hints

After a number of delays, Royal Railway has announced that work on Cambodia's northern line would be finished by July. (Photo by Masayori Ishikawa)
Economy

Cambodia's rail back on track after four decades of woe

Interest from Chinese companies in expansion plans fuels debt concerns

These cars, trucks and motorbikes are bottlenecked on a Jakarta street. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Southeast Asia taps AI and satellites to tackle traffic jams

Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur turn to technology to ease congestion

A newborn at a hospital in Tokyo. (Photo by Wataru Ito)
Economy

Despite Japan's best efforts, births hit new low

Global trend of weak wage growth leaves people reluctant to marry

A worker uses a blowtorch at the Nam Tha 1 hydroelectric dam construction site that is being built by a Chinese company in Laos.
International relations

Thailand plans regional infrastructure fund to reduce China dependence

The venture with Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos will start operation in 2019

Nepal has become the sixth communist-ruled country on today's world map.
Opinion

Nepal -- can democracy and communism coexist?

Himalayan state's fragile democratic institutions will be tested by the new government

Defending the Hong Kong dollar's peg to the U.S. currency takes away resources from spending for a better economic future.
Opinion

Time to scrap Hong Kong's currency peg

Defending the US dollar link wastes money better spent on housing and social care

The ZTE case shows more high-tech faceoffs are in store for the U.S. and China.
Opinion

US and China cannot escape technology war

Beijing won't relent in a state-led drive that Washington is bound to challenge

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, seen here inspecting a construction site, will finally be in the same room as the U.S. president, but will they be on the same page? (KCNA/Reuters)
The Nikkei View

Let North Korea's denuclearization begin in Singapore

Trump-Kim summit must cement plans for removing Pyongyang's weapons

East Timor's hills, beaches and rich sunsets should prove a magnet for travelers, but the country's inaccessibility and violent history may be hindering tourism. (Photo by Simon Roughneen)
Life

East Timor tourism remains stuck in the slow lane

Country struggles to tap into global travel boom to augment oil and gas revenue

The Astor's rose-colored facade delights visitors. (Courtesy of the Astor, Kolkata)
Life

Phoenix rises at Kolkata heritage hotel

One man's mission to turn back years of neglect and restore the Astor

Masato Uchida, right, former head coach of Nihon University's American football team, bows during a news conference in Tokyo on May 23. (Photo by Tsuyoshi Tamehiro)
Comment

Japan can't stop talking about a violent American football play

Some see themselves in player who says he did what he was told to do

A dreamy view of Kuching waterfront at dawn.
Tea Leaves

Kuching's rise offers both inspiration and caution

Sarawak capital's tourism boom risks growing rift with hinterland