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September 19th, 2019

Connected conscious consumers

How Generation Z is reshaping Asian business

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The Big Story

Purpose over profit: How Generation Z is redefining business

Asia's young consumers are demanding that companies reflect their values on equality and the environment

Socially conscious, well-informed and quick to organize behind a cause: By 2030, Asia's Generation Z will be 960 million people strong.
In China, luxury consumers are both becoming younger and less brand-loyal, says Mia Kong, Shanghai-based style director for magazine Dazed China. (Photo courtesy of Mia Kong)
The Big Story

Asia's Gen Z: Three young pacesetters to watch

Keep an eye on these names to understand the next wave of consumers

The Traveloka app inside Indonesia's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport: The startup made its name by offering travel deals but now it wants customers to use it closer to home. (Photo by Rie Ishii)
Startups in Asia

Indonesian unicorn Traveloka learns what not to do from Uber

$4bn booking startup aims to prove its worth with profit before IPO

Alibaba Group Holding founder Jack Ma stepped down as chairman on his 55th birthday, having achieved his goal of making the company the world's largest e-commerce business.
China tech

China tech trailblazer Jack Ma passes $460bn torch at Alibaba

Successor Daniel Zhang to expand B2B and cloud to complement e-commerce

A 24Seven convenience store in a New Delhi suburb: Godfrey Philips India, which runs the chain, is pursuing aggressive expansion in conjunction with the spread of cold-chain technology. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
Transportation

India's retail modernization turns the cold-chain business hot

State-owned Concor to launch cross-country refrigerated rail transport

ANA’s cargo revenue dropped 17% in the April-June quarter. Due to overall weak demand, the company has had to lower shipping rates. (Picture by Akira Kodaka)
Business trends

Asian airlines' cargo operations hit hard by US-China trade war

Carriers race to find new markets to offset weak demand from established routes

A garment factory in Bangkok: Thailand seeks to move its manufacturing sector into higher-value activities.
Trade war

Thailand dangles 50% tax cut for manufacturers fleeing China

Bangkok seeks to draw high-tech production in competitive region

Japanese and French flags fly outside Nissan headquarters in Yokohama.
Nissan-Renault alliance

Nissan-Renault power balance in focus as CEO search quickens

Saikawa's exit on Monday marks true end of Ghosn era at Japan automaker

Zozo founder Yusaku Maezawa speaks to reporters at a news conference in Tokyo on Sept. 12. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Business deals

Zozo's Maezawa leaves the life he grew up disdaining

Billionaire was one of Japan's few successful internet entrepreneurs

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Commodities

Singapore's Olam secures $525 million sustainability loan

Spike in green, sustainable loan deals in the last two weeks

Local developers including SHK Properties have been among the most-affected parties since mass demonstrations began in Hong Kong in June.
Nikkei Markets

SHK Properties sees protests-led uncertainty in years ahead

Developer says improved housing ladder could ease unrest among younger residents

Sales of passenger vehicles plunged 32% to 196,524 units in August. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
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Asia Insight

RCEP: Asia races against clock to save trade deal of the decade

Japan-South Korea rift and India-China rivalry complicate talks

A train runs through during the groundbreaking ceremony of the cooperation between Thailand and China on the Bangkok-Nong Khai high speed rail development in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand in 2017.
Belt and Road

Thai Belt and Road project bumps into finance and liability issues

Bangkok balks at Beijing's conditions on showpiece high-speed rail line

The government owns 17,834 facilities and sites in the greater Jakarta area, worth a combined $78 billion. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
Economy

Indonesia weighs lease of Jakarta properties to fund capital move

Potential schemes include a barter program and a build-operate-transfer plan

The Strait of Hormuz is a key marine transportation route.
Datawatch

Hormuz crisis threatens Asian imports beyond energy

US-Iran tensions endanger shipments of aluminum and chemicals

Foxconn founder Terry Gou gestures during a press conference at the company's headquarters in Taipei earlier this year.
Politics

Gou exit from Taiwan presidential race brings relief to opposition KMT

However, President Tsai still has upper-hand ahead of January election

The ARJ21 regional jet has a big supporter in its corner -- the Chinese government.
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Beijing ups pressure on domestic airlines to buy China-made jets

Aerospace company Comac finds itself on verge of challenging Boeing and Airbus

Tourists walk on Gold Bridge near the central Vietnamese city of Danang. The country has been attracting more South Koreans in recent months.
Business trends

Politics drive tourists away from Japan and Hong Kong to SE Asia

Previously popular destinations lose out from summer of troubles

The lack of reciprocity is visible in Abe and Putin's personal relations.
Opinion

Shinzo Abe's Russia policy risks embarrassment for Japan

He must stop giving in to Vladimir Putin, who delights in spurning him

Work-reform laws for large companies reduce the overtime cap to 45 hours a month to promote work-life balance and prevent karoshi, death by overwork.
Opinion

Japan Inc needs to pay attention to workers' mental health

Fight against workplace depression brings human and economic benefits

Italian brand Dolce & Gabbana canceled a fashion show in Shanghai after being accused of insulting China in its promotions in November 2018.
Opinion

'Insulting China' and the business of fomenting online rage

Brands from Zara to Givenchy have borne brunt of Chinese netizens' fury

Smoke billows from a fire at an Aramco factory in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia, on Sept. 14.
The Nikkei View

Attack on Saudi oil supply demands measured response

World must stay calm and not rush to judgment

A Theyyam Muthappan performance at Parassinikadavu, a riverside temple between Payyanur and Kannur in North Kerala (Photo by Kit Yeng Chan)
Life

Kerala leaves the 'hippy days' to move upmarket

Innovative startups surprise holidaymakers in south India's most-visited state

Vaidas Gecevicius, a creative technologies expert, launched pet adoption app GetPet earlier this year. (Courtesy of Vaidas Gecevicius) 
Life

Technology tackles Asia's homeless pet crisis

App developers seek to match adopters with millions of stray cats and dogs

The three teenage rockers that make up Voice of Baceprot are influenced by Western bands like Rage Against The Machine and Muse. (Courtesy of Voice of Baceprot)
Tea Leaves

Muslim girls rock, but not about religion

Indonesian band Voice of Baceprot has a different story to tell