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June 20th, 2019

The new iron curtain

Chinese and US technology industries brace for a digitally divided world

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The Big Story

Fears of 'digital iron curtain' spread as US and China dig in

Pressure from Trump unites Chinese tech industry in self-sufficiency push

Tech tensions: What began as a tariff spat between the U.S. and China appears to be turning into a technology war, one that some fear could split the world along a lasting digital divide. (© Illustrations by Eric Chow)
Japan is attempting to bring together a "digital TPP," intended to unite members under one set of rules -- and to ease the deepening distrust between the U.S. and China. (Illustration by Eric Chow)
The Big Story

How to avoid a technology cold war

Behind the scenes, TPP members coax China to play by digital rules

Stream article image
Street vendors sell vegetables in Yangon. For many locals, it has been standard practice to cope with risks without insurance. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Business trends

Foreign insurers bring disruption in untapped Myanmar market

Prudential and Sompo Japan to launch products using advanced technologies

People are seen reflected in a shopping mall mirror at a busy intersection in Tokyo's Harajuku district.
Business trends

Cracks emerge in Japan's brick-and-mortar economy

Population decline hits even big chains like Uniqlo, Nikkei analysis shows

Komatsu markets its construction machinery by bundling GPS services with the equipment.
Business trends

Winners and losers in corporate Japan: Deft marketing pays off

Komatsu and Bandai Namco saw profits soar in last five years

E-cigarette company Juul Labs, the world's fifth most valuable unicorn, launched its first Asian foray in South Korea last month. (Source photos by AP and Getty Images)
Business trends

Vaping giant targets lucrative Asian market with South Korean launch

E-cigarette maker Juul Labs expects to be in multiple countries by December

Screenshot of Huawei's Ren Zhengfei as he reveals a $30bn hit to 2020 sales expectations in an interview on China Global Television Network on June 17, 2019.  
Huawei crackdown

Huawei CEO admits $30bn hit to 2020 sales as US offensive bites

Founder pledges to maintain R&D spending despite setbacks

The price of tilapia skin has been on the rise since end-2017. 
Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou arrives at Kuomintang party headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan on June 11. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
Trade war

Foxconn extends range of US plant as trade war divides tech market

Taiwan tech giant ready to shift iPhone production out of China if needed

SAIC shows off its Maxus G10 in Manila on June 5. (Photo by Jun Endo)
Companies

China's SAIC challenges Japanese carmakers to Philippine price duel

Distributor Ayala rolls out Maxus vans with eye on local assembly

Workers assemble Vingroup's Vsmart phones at a factory in Haiphong. A new plant in Hanoi will sharply increase the group's output.
Companies

Vietnam's Vingroup to lift phone capacity to 125m with new plant

Hanoi factory also will build devices for US and European brands

Japan's government is encouraging companies to keep employees on the payroll until age 70. 
Asia Insight

Aging Asia rethinks retirement to pursue 'productive longevity'

Active seniors join robots as a potential answer to labor shortfalls

Chinese authorities last took over a bank in 2001, with the seizure of Shantou Commercial Bank.
Economy

China's takeover of local lender hints at wider trouble ahead

First government-led seizure in 18 years seen as beginning of industry reshuffle

An Iranian navy boat sprays water to extinguish a fire on an oil tanker in the sea of Oman on June 13.
Energy

Asian oil importers on alert for ripples from tanker attacks

Gold price climbs to four-month high as investors seek safe haven assets

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party won last year's election on a pledge to eliminate corruption.
Economy

Khan avoids talk of economy after Pakistan unveils tax targets

Prime minister focuses on tackling corruption as foundation for IMF loan

The administration of Indonesian President Joko Widodo has pledged to create a more business friendly environment. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
Economy

Indonesia expects more foreign investment after ratings bump

S&P and others list country as 'BBB' as structural reforms look to continue

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow speaks at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington on June 11.
Trade war

US cities and states woo Chinese investment despite trade war

Conflict is 'elephant in the room' for companies and officials seeking deals

The International Space Station is a joint project from the space agencies of the U.S., Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada. India’s planned space station would weigh 20 tons and astronauts could live in it for up to 20 days.
Politics

India unveils ambitious plans to launch its own space station

Project comes as it prepares for second unmanned moon landing and human missions

Both sides still need a trade deal. 
Opinion

Where will it end? The US-China trade war and the threat to the global economy

Trump and Xi may strike trade deal at G-20 but a deeper decoupling has barely begun

Amakudari -- post-retirement landing spots for senior bureaucrats may be harder to find.
Opinion

Abe's corporate reform plan faces acid test at government-run companies

New boardroom rules could hit NTT, Japan Tobacco and Japan Post putting officials in an awkward position

Mahathir said the U.S. is threatening China during the 25th Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on May 30. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Opinion

What next for Mahathir's pivot to China?

Malaysian leader's U-turn will test ties with South East Asian partners and US

Protesters march against the extradition bill in Hong Kong on June 16.
The Nikkei View

Path to Hong Kong stability lies in giving voters a greater voice

Lam should declare a formal withdrawal of the unpopular extradition bill

Hao Wu, fourth from left, is back in Chengdu for his grandfather's birthday. (Photo by Jingyang Cheng)
Life

LGBTQ rights in China: Halfway out of closet?

Queer communities face obstacles as they try to push forward

Indonesian collector Tom Tandio would "never buy anything unless I know the artist first, believe in their intentions." (Photo provided by SongEun Art Space)
Arts

Asian millennials move into global art market

Spending power of young investors is overtaking the over-50s

Flower power Beidong market’s resilient traders have learnt to work through the anxiety that is part of business in China. (Photo by Shrish Rane) 
Tea Leaves

Fate of Beijing bar a lesson in urban development

City's demolition drive is changing the face of the capital