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September 6th, 2018

The face of a crisis

As condemnation of Myanmar mounts, Asian investors dig in

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The Big Story

As the West isolates Myanmar, some investors dig in for the long term

Attacks on minorities and the media cloud economic progress

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's commander in chief, has been accused of genocide and crimes against humanity by a U.N. fact-finding mission.
Min Ko Naing, now 55, spent much of his life in prison for his pro-democracy activism. (Photo by Dominic Faulder)
The Big Story

Min Ko Naing, Myanmar's voice of a generation

The chairman of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions, 30 years on

Diajeng Lestari, center, in white, with employees of her startup Hijup at its headquarters in Jakarta. The CEO says her company is now aiming to be more than just an e-commerce operator. (Photo by Akiyoshi Inoue)
Startups in Asia

Indonesian Muslim fashion retailer on mission to empower women

Hijup founder unfazed by Islamophobia, believing stylish outfits can add to positive image

Although the construction of this condominium block is still ongoing, about 80% of the units have already been sold, many to Chinese homebuyers. (Photo by Coco Liu)
Business trends

Chinese plow into Thai property as opportunities dry up at home

Buyers from China have poured in $10bn since 2015 as boom shows no sign of abating

Apple suppliers are all having to look for new areas of growth in next-generation technologies as smartphone sales fall. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Business trends

Apple suppliers struggle to grow profits in saturated smartphone market

Foxconn and peers pin hopes on next-generation technologies

Players compete in the mobile phone based video game Arena of Valor in a demonstration match at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on Aug. 26. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Business trends

'Mobile esports' shine on Asian Games debut

Surging popularity prompts Tencent, Xiaomi and Samsung to chase growing format

AirAsia planes sit on the tarmac at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The budget carrier has long wanted to extend its reach in China.
Companies

AirAsia's $100m China hub deal collapses as bilateral relations cool

Henan airport plan was once described as 'final piece of puzzle' for Malaysian carrier

Fosun International Chairman Guo Guangchang attends a match played by the English football club Wolverhampton Wanderers, which the Chinese group owns.
Asia300

Fosun back shopping for overseas deals as Chinese peers flinch

In sharp contrast, energy conglomerate CEFC cedes control of Czech assets

A woman walks behind the logos of 7-Eleven and Seven & i Holdings at a store in Tokyo. ATMs in 24-hour convenience stores have been an engine in boosting the retail group's financial-service earnings.
Business trends

Seven-Eleven, Sony and Toyota beat banks at their own game

Financial service profits surge fourfold outside Japan's banking sector

LG will highlight its 8K organic light-emitting diode TV at the IFA consumer electronics fair opening this week in Berlin.
Companies

LG unveils world's first 8K television with an OLED display

Four times the resolution of 4K, debut expected as early as 2018

A woman speaks on her mobile phone in front of a shop displaying the Idea Cellular logo on its shutters in Kolkata, India, on Nov. 13, 2017.
Business

Malaysia's Axiata hit by India telecoms disruption

Stronger ringgit, tough competition push operator to quarterly loss

A strong performance by premium brands boosted Tsingtao's profit despite only a modest overall increase in sales.
Asia300

China's top 2 brewers toast strong first-half earnings

Brisk sales of high-margin premium beers offset slow overall growth

© Illustration by Luis Mendo
Asia Insight

Kazakhstan seeks sweet spot in US-China-Russia power game

'Friends with everyone' diplomacy tested as heavyweights compete over Caspian Sea

Moon Jae-in 
Economy

South Korean leader seeks to regain support with huge spending boost

Slumping approval rating pushes Moon to sharply increase budget for job creation

Thailand’s pro-military group supports Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to stay in power after the general election which could be held as early as February.(Getty Images)
Politics

Pro-junta groups poach opposition politicians before Thai election

Military government hopes to win over rural voters

Indonesian President Joko Widodo runs in the torch relay for the Asian Games on Aug. 17 at the presidential palace in Jakarta.
Politics

Widodo basks in Asian Games' glory to woo millennial voters

Motorcycle stunt energizes Indonesian president's bid for re-election

Malaysia's prime minister-designate Anwar Ibrahim says he supports the review of the Bumiputra policy that previous leaders had used to enrich their cronies. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Interview

Malaysia's PM-designate Anwar backs review of Malay privileges

De facto coalition leader 'trusts' Mahathir to keep promise and hand over power

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow presents plans to improve infrastructure and facilities at a function on Aug. 29. (Photo courtesy of Penang state government)
Malaysia in transition

Malaysian resort Penang to get face-lift under new government

State wants to build undersea tunnel and budget airport terminal

Export-heavy Japan stands to suffer a major blow from a slump in global trade from the U.S.-China trade war.
Trade war

Bank of Japan braces for trade war's collateral damage

US-China friction gives central bank more to consider beyond inflation

Taliban fighters gather with residents to celebrate a cease-fire during the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr in mid-June, in Nangarhar Province, east of Kabul, Afghanistan.
Datawatch

Was Afghanistan's cease-fire underpinned by Ramadan?

Data shows lower levels of violence during fasting month

The romantic comedy film "Crazy Rich Asians" can be taken as a warning on rising inequality.
Opinion

Crazy rich Asia risks running into trouble

New film's celebration of wealth is also a warning about rising inequality

Chinese President Xi Jinping's busy schedule since the Beidaihe meeting is a sign of his grip on power. 
Opinion

Xi gets over the summertime blues

China's leader reasserts his authority and makes only marginal policy changes

Flood victims unload relief material from an Indian Air Force helicopter in the southern state of Kerala on Aug. 21.
Opinion

India right to spurn foreign disaster relief

Rejecting aid for Kerala floods, Modi shows country no longer needs handouts

U.S. President Donald Trump's push for dialogue with Pyongyang is laudable, but he will need to work with Beijing if he wants to yield tangible results.
The Nikkei View

Trump must not let the North Korea denuclearization talks stall

Trade war or not, cooperation with China is crucial to spur change in Pyongyang

A Shan woman sells fresh fruit at a wayside station. (Photo by Lindsay Stubbs)
Life

Scenery and soldiers on Myanmar's ailing railways

Single-track lines are spectacular, but only the military travels well

Kappa-bashi Street sells everything needed to open a restaurant, from food samples to menu boards.
Business trends

Japan's traditional wholesale streets attract independent tourists

Seasoned travelers seek out authentic experiences as visitor numbers grow

The inflow of more cultures has only made Australia a more interesting and secure place.
Tea Leaves

Australia takes immigration debate to a new low

A bigger, more diverse population makes the country richer and safer