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March 28th, 2019

The Jio effect

Mukesh Ambani’s low-cost mobile service is transforming India

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The Big Story

India Tech: How Reliance's low-cost mobile service is transforming society

Jio's cheap smartphones and data hurt rivals, but are a boon to startups

In under three years, Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio Infocomm has built a significant subscriber base of around 280 million users, targeting cheap data and smartphones to the masses. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
The spectacular wedding of Isha Ambani, daughter of Mukesh, drew international attention in December 2018, as did that of her brother Akash in March this year.
The Big Story

An Ambani wedding puts the Indian Dream on display

Lavish spectacle held in the shadow of slums sparks joy, not rancor

E-commerce has been very good for Thailand’s durian sales. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Business trends

Dynamic Asia: a new center for growth

In regional shift, migrants and money flow into Asia

Young supporters of the Indonesian Solidarity Party at a rally in December (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Politics

Asia's millennials finding their political voice

In Indonesia and Malaysia, young politicians emerge in party ranks

Three generations in the business, from left to right: New Lippo Karawaci CEO John Riady, his father James Riady, and group founder Mochtar Riady. (John Riady photo by AP)
CEO in the news

Indonesia's Lippo Group throws 33-year-old heir into deep end

New CEO John Riady tasked with restoring property developer's scandal-tainted image

Google announced a new video gaming streaming service named Stadia at the Gaming Developers Conference in San Francisco, California, U.S., March 19.
Business trends

Asian gaming companies face disruption from likes of Google

Next-generation cloud-based gaming will change the face of the industry

The grounding of the 737 Max jets may have airliners searching for alternatives.
Business trends

Boeing's woes create opening for Chinese and Russian rivals

COMAC and Irkut hurry debuts of alternative narrow-body aircraft to grounded 737 Max

People seen walking in Qingdao, Shandong Province. The once enormously successful Chinese tech companies are struggling to find avenues of further growth.
China tech

Wave of layoffs washes over China's tech giants

Mass demotion at Tencent follows job cuts at JD.com and NetEase

Samsung Electronics co-CEO Kim Ki-nam warned of a difficult 2019, but said the company may rebound after inventory adjustments later this year.
Companies

Samsung expects tough 2019 as memory segment stalls

Shareholders voice concern about competition from Chinese chipmakers

CR Beer reported a 16.9% decline in its 2018 net profit to 977 million yuan ($145.4 million).
Nikkei Markets

CR Beer to add products, shut plants in premiumization drive

Staff number reduced by about 12,000 last year as company cuts capacity

Lee Shau Kee (front), among the world's richest billionaires with a net worth of $30.6 billion, according to Forbes, was born and raised in Guangdong province in southern China before he founded Henderson Land in 1976. 
© Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters, Getty Images
Asia Insight

India airstrike on Pakistan hits Gandhi's election hopes

Family dynasty struggles to overcome Modi's knack for reading national mood

Thailand's elections have bestowed some democratic legitimacy on Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who assumed the job after leading a coup in 2014.
Thai election

Thailand election puts junta on cusp of bringing back PM Prayuth

Pro-military party will likely need a coalition to form a new government

MRT Jakarta expects to carry up to 378,000 passengers daily once the second phase of its network starts operating in 2025. The indonesian government estimates the economic cost of the city's traffic jams to amount to 65 trillion rupiah a year. (Photo by Bobby Nugroho)
Economy

Southeast Asia pins hopes on rail to ease chronic congestion

Urban transit networks set for long-awaited launch as traffic costs mount

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, left, and China's Premier Li Keqiang depart after a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 3, 2018. 
Most read in 2019

Pakistan distances itself from China's Belt and Road

Islamabad diverts $171m from CPEC to fund projects legislators want

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte signed a memorandum of understanding on March 23 in Rome.
Belt and Road

China pries open EU wall as Italy joins Belt and Road

With $8bn in deals, Beijing gains access to Trieste and Genoa ports

Tokyo Big Sight will not be available for exhibitions and other events while it serves as the media center during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Economy

Tokyo Olympics knock hundreds of conventions off track

Organizers scramble to find different venues -- or cancel in 2019 and 2020

Both sides stand to lose from conflict.
Opinion

US versus China -- a technology Cold War?

Some restrictions are needed, but dividing the industrial world serves nobody

Facebook and its rivals are struggling to overcome a tension built into their businesses.
Opinion

Facebook and rivals face critical test in Asian elections

Social media groups must suppress fake news and hate speech, or risk regulatory backlash

New Zealand is now part of the real world.
Opinion

New Zealand -- confronting complacency

Massacre will bring dramatic changes to protect multiculturalism

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha casts his ballot for the general election in Bangkok on March 24. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
The Nikkei View

For Thailand, the hard work begins after the election

The next government must strive to bridge social divides

"Nishiki-e" pictures were popular during the Edo period, especially ones that depicted famous sumo wrestlers, such as Raiden and Tanikaze.
Arts

Sumo inspires artists to express the spirit of Japan

Woodblock prints, paintings, musical works and modern art highlight ancient sport

Sommelier Dirake-rit Kotchawong: "I still have to tell my family I'm a wine taster." (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
Life

Local wine experts become toast of Thailand

Thai sommeliers break through at top restaurants despite lack of tradition

The No. 100 bus may only travel from East London to the City, but it carries the world inside. (Photo by Simon Landy)
Tea Leaves

All aboard London bus to China's future

At western reaches of the Belt & Road, symbolism abounds