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July 25th, 2019

Game over for the console?

Google and Apple aim to topple the box with cloud gaming services

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The Big Story

A Netflix moment for gaming? Streaming challenges consoles in 5G era

Former rivals Sony and Microsoft ally to take on new 'cloud gaming' platforms

The $130 billion video game industry is facing its "Netflix moment:" a coming streaming boom will sap the market for physical consoles. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
A child in Tokyo plays Minecraft: Gaming addiction is on the rise in Asia, with the World Health Organization recognizing it as a medical disease in May. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
The Big Story

Asia's esports hubs rattled by the rise in game addiction

In China and South Korea, governments scramble to curb "gaming disorder"

Eko differentiates itself from rivals with a variety of task management and HR functions, including e-signatures to sign off on forms and a clock in/out feature. (Photo by Rie Ishii) 
Startups in Asia

Thai tycoon's grandson takes on Slack and Facebook in work chat

Eko aspires to be Asia's first killer app with a truly global user base

A Nikkei survey found that more than 50 global companies have shifted or are considering shifting production from China in response to the U.S. trade dispute. (Nikkei montage)
Most read in 2019

China scrambles to stem manufacturing exodus as 50 companies leave

To counter tariff blow, government eases restrictions and offers perks

People walk past office buildings at the central business district in Singapore. The city-state is opening the way for five new digital banks.
Finance

Singapore virtual banks to service Asia's unbanked millions

Low-cost digital players offer loans to region's small and medium companies

Siam Commercial Bank will link its online banking services with Thai ride-hailing app GET. (Photo courtesy of Siam Commercial Bank)
Business deals

Thailand's biggest bank invests in ride-hailing unicorn Go-Jek

Siam Commercial Bank eyes fintech connection with fast-growing local app

South Korean business owners stage a rally calling for a boycott of Japanese products in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul on July 15.
Japan-South Korea rift

South Korean boycott hits Japan's major brands and tourism outlook

Uniqlo and Kirin warn of impact while analysts predict 'sharp drop' in visitors to Japan

The Samsung Delight shop in Seoul. After repeated attempts, Vietnam says it has attracted a semiconductor investment from Samsung.
Japan-South Korea rift

Samsung tests non-Japan materials as Asia trade war deepens

Top chipmaker searches for new suppliers in China, Taiwan and at home

A Yamaha production line in the Philippines. The country is the sixth-largest motorcycle market in the world, making it an important battleground in the company's fight for dominance with Honda. (Photo courtesy of Yamaha Motor)
Business trends

Yamaha fights for pole position in Philippine motorcycle market

Plant expansion to double production capacity as company duels with Honda

Top Glove is expected to open its first plant in Vietnam by the end of next year.
Interview

Malaysian glove giant in Vietnam expansion as demand surges

Top Glove says it's on the lookout for merger and acquisition opportunities

Wipro is India's fourth-largest software exporter.
Companies

Wipro's first-quarter profit rises 13% on better-than-expected margins

But muted revenue growth outlook underscores demand slowdown

Keppel, the world's biggest maker of offshore rigs, earned 153 million Singapore dollars ($112.6 million) in the three months ended June, down from S$249 million in the same period a year ago. 
Nikkei Markets

Property damps Keppel's profit but offshore business improves

Pivot to gas, renewal energy is paying off, says CEO

JD's delivery robots, armed with cameras and sensors, bring items to customers. (Photo courtesy of JD.com)
Companies

JD.com brings robot delivery vans to over 10 Chinese cities

Country's No. 2 e-tailer weighed down by $1.7bn annual technology investment

A Chinese Navy vessel prepares to depart Stonecutters Island, Hong Kong, in this 2017 file photo. Washington's security establishment has long claimed China's Belt and Road investments in ports and airfields around the globe have a strategic military component.
Asia Insight

China's Belt and Road ports raise red flags over military plans

Cambodia shows how Beijing's 'string of pearls' threatens US ties

According to data released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the minimum wage in Japan rose 20% in the past decade.
Datawatch

Pay in Japan increasingly stuck to floor as productivity lags

Data suggests companies offering minimum wage too inefficient to go higher

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha in 2014: A previous coup leader says Prayuth has failed to effectively address corruption.
Interview

Ex-army chief who ousted Thaksin backs use of coups in Thailand

Former coup leader Sonthi says the key to a lasting democracy is a large middle class

The Bank of Korea in Seoul. The central bank on Thursday shifted its direction in the eight months since November, when it raised the benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 1.75%.
Japan-South Korea rift

Bank of Korea ready to act on fallout from Japan export curbs

Central bank lowers rate to 1.5%, joins global trend to ease monetary policy

Bank Indonesia had held its benchmark rate steady for seven straight meetings, before the July 18 decision.
Economy

Bank Indonesia cuts rate in anticipation of Fed easing

Healthier rupiah and political stability create maneuvering room

Hanjin Heavy Industries' Subic shipyard in the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of HHIC Philippines)
International relations

Philippine Navy prepares to take part of Subic shipyard

US and Japanese interests also considering joint rescue bid

Changi Airport's Jewel mall features a 40-meter-high waterfall and plenty of plants.
Business trends

Singapore's Changi and rival hubs wage battle of airport megamalls

City-state's greenery-filled Jewel complex looks to make layovers fun

A Japanese-owned clothing factory in Yangon: Foreign investment is flowing into Myanmar's garment industry. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
Economy

Myanmar investment inflows double from China as deals surge

Southeast Asian nation's garment industry benefits from production shift

By accepting Trump's deal, Xi will lose face but reap real, albeit limited, gains.
Opinion

Xi faces unpalatable choices on trade, politics and Hong Kong

Hard approach would temporarily bolster Beijing's authority but risk long term costs

As global average temperatures warm, glaciers are retreating.
Opinion

Himalayan states must unite to protect mountain environment

Time for a Himalayas Council to manage and safeguard vital water supplies

In South Asia, cricket is a continuation of war by other means.
Opinion

Cricket world cup highlights South Asia's fault lines

Fans use matches to score political points against regional rivals

The lack of enthusiasm for the July 21 election reflects public dissatisfaction with the options.
The Nikkei View

Japan's electorate sticks with stability

Both ruling bloc and opposition failed to stir voters' hearts in upper house election

Reproductions of works by Thai contemporary artists accompany the poems and short stories in the first edition of The Bangkok Literary Review.
Arts

Found in translation: Thai literature reaches West

New translators lead contemporary authors out of the global margins

Kimura Takuya, center, and other SMAP members perform during its concert in Beijing in September 2011.
Obituaries

Creator of J-pop who thought musical talent a hindrance

Boy band impresario Johnny Kitagawa manufactured a unique business model

The "god rock" in the bamboo grove at the Kami Ari Shrine has been worshipped from ancient times by local people in Itoshima, near Fukuoka. (Photo by Andrew Thomson)
Tea Leaves

Japan's power spots can fix your life -- maybe

No room for cynicism in modern craze for 'pawaa supotto'