alt

March 14th, 2019

Asia300: Tech takes a hit

Profits shattered as China’s smartphone sales drop

View all editions

The Big Story

Asian tech companies struggle to adjust to iPhone slowdown

Chip, display companies tighten belts as profit forecasts shrink

Asian technology companies are beginning to see earnings pain from global stagnation in smartphone sales. (Illustrations by Eric Chow)
Thai Airways is among the Asian airlines worst-hit by rising oil prices. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
The Big Story

2018's resurgent oil price: Asia's winners and losers

Commodity's comeback lifted Singapore banks, but hit Asian airlines

Orix is a sprawling conglomerate with businesses ranging from aircraft leasing to aquariums, banking to real estate. (Illustration by Daniel Garcia)
Company in focus

Japan's Orix runs into headwinds in quest for growth

Investment group's complexity and Asian challenges raise concerns

TikTok allows users to share 15-second videos and is hugely popular with teens and tweens. (Getty Images)
China tech

TikTok's regulatory woes cast a cloud over parent Bytedance

Video platform accused of endangering children and illegal data gathering

Manila is still heavily reliant on road traffic, leading to punishing congestion. (Photo by Jun Endo)
Economy

Duterte plans 'Tokyo-style' railway for Greater Manila

Japanese companies join hands to help eradicate traffic jams

A gas-processing plant in Vietnam. The country plans to import LNG as domestic sources of natural gas run out.
Commodities

Vietnam's state energy companies gear up for LNG imports

Petrolimex and PetroVietnam prepare to serve the needs of the energy-hungry nation

PTT looks to invest in gas pipelines and LNG terminals, as well as develop two gas blocks in the Gulf of Thailand.
Companies

Thailand's PTT to up gas investment as country looks beyond coal

Plans call for billions in spending on pipelines, terminals and offshore drilling

Former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn leaves the Tokyo Detention Center disguised as a construction worker on March 6. (Nikkei montage)
Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Ghosn's disguise as workman riles companies unwittingly involved

Lawyer apologizes after failed ploy to hide former executive's exit from jail

A photographer is seen outside the Tokyo Detention House on March 06 in Tokyo. Carlos Ghosn was released on bail after 108 days in detention.
Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Ghosn case looks to shake up Japan's 'hostage justice'

Detaining suspects until they admit crimes goes against global standards

Parental consent is required in China for minors to play video games. (Photo by Takashi Kawakami)
Companies

Tencent tightens game restrictions on China minors

Parents must register to unlock 'Arena of Valor'

Tata Motors presents its Altroz at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 5.
Companies

Tata Motors shares rebound from 2018 slump on Jaguar Land Rover hopes

Investors are betting on a recovery in Chinese demand for the luxury brand

Vingroup's Vsmart phone is assembled at a plant in Hai Phong, Vietnam, in December 2018. REUTERS/Kham
Companies

Vingroup invests in global R&D network to accelerate shift to tech

Vietnam property company launches S Korea facility, with additional plans in US, China, Israel

© Illustration by Eric Chow
Asia Insight

Southeast Asian sugar taxes: Bitter pills for better health

Campaigns to avoid runaway medical costs create side effects for companies and farms

People's Bank of China Gov. Yi Gang speaks at a news conference in Beijing on Sunday, on the sidelines of the National People's Congress. (Photo by Taro Yokosawa)
China People's Congress

China promises US not to devalue currency to boost exports

Central bank chief signals further reserve rate cuts to stem slowdown

Huawei Rotating Chairman Guo Ping explains the decision to sue the U.S. in Shenzhen on March 7.
Trade war

Huawei sues US over equipment ban and security risk claims

Chinese tech giant's legal fight seen as buying time for negotiations

Members of the junta-installed National Legislative Assembly are bucking norms by continuing to work on new laws weeks ahead of Thailand's first election since February 2014.
Thai election

Thai parliament rushes to pass laws before election

Assembly members try out for senate positions to be chosen by military leaders

Chaturon Chaisang speaks to reporters March 9 in Bangkok with other former officials of the defunct Thai Raksa Chart party.
Thai election

Alumni of princess-backed Thai party vow to keep fighting junta

Pro-Thaksin politicians seek full civilian rule despite courtroom defeat

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and main opposition Indian National Congress President Rahul Gandhi
India elections

India elections to begin April, as resurgent Modi faces Gandhi heir

Kashmir airstrikes give ruling BJP a boost, with contrasting foreign policies on the line

Inflation in the Philippines is softening, allowing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to consider a rate cut.
Economy

Duterte's new central bank chief signals potential rate cut

Diokno vows to maintain independence while analysts expect looser policy

Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra in February sold 52,915 cars in the domestic market, up 9% from a year ago.
Nikkei PMI

India defies Asia slump as manufacturing hits 14-month high

New orders propel surge while Japan, South Korea and Taiwan feel China chill

Indian military forces gather near the debris of crashed Indian Air Force plane in Budgam west of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian administered Kashmir.on Feb. 27.
Opinion

India versus Pakistan -- on the brink

Global powers must intervene in the Kashmir dispute to reduce risk of nuclear war

China will have 173 million residents aged 65 years or more by 2020 .
Opinion

Aging Asia needs new care models

​​​​​​​Supplement traditional family-based support with more public and private services

The BOJ's reflationary drive has not succeeded at raising current inflation and inflationary expectations. (Photo by Konosuke Urata) 
Opinion

Japan's reflation drive -- no time to quit

Mistake to suggest central bank should abandon easing. BOJ must soldier on

U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Beijing in November 2017: The fate of the trade talks may depend on their willingness to compromise.
The Nikkei View

US, China must avoid a dangerous new cold war

Compromise by both sides -- and bigger changes from Beijing -- are key

Raising the building maximizes outside space
Life

Too cool for school

Good design has helped the Lycée Français International de Hong Kong make the most of its small footprint

People scavenge through a mountain of garbage at a dumpsite in the Payatas slum in Manila. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Tea Leaves

Democracy fails to deliver in Manila's 'Promised Land'

Teeming slums betray hollow promises but old loyalties remain solid