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January 9th, 2020

Red states

Donald Trump's industrial heartlands open up to Chinese capital

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The Big Story

Red states: Trump Country's love affair with Chinese investment

The US president's heartlands turn to China to revive flagging industries

As U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war raged against Beijing, Republican states went in search of Chinese money. (Illustrations by Eric Chow)
Faced with the world's oldest population, Japan's notoriously risk-averse banks face a turning point. By 2030, over 10% of the nation's personal financial assets will be in the hands of people with dementia. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
The Big Story

Aging Japan: Banks turn to technology to tackle looming demographic crisis

Elderly -- and vulnerable -- Japanese hold half the country's $17 trillion in financial assets

Rather than being alienated by digitization, many Chinese seniors are embracing the possibilities of technology -- which may help China address its increasingly pressing aging problem.
The Big Story

From WeChat to Taobao, China's elderly are embracing big tech

Far from being daunted, many are sold on communication and e-commerce apps

Linda Wijaya and Michael Widjaja. (Nikkei Montage/ Source photo by Jun Suzuki and Keichiro Asahara)
A turbine off Choshi, Japan: Multinational energy companies are eager to install wind power plants around the country's shores. 
Multinationals in Asia

Global wind power players see Japan as next money-spinner

Asia to blow past Europe and amass over 60% of offshore capacity

A PTT gas rig off the coast of Myanmar: The Thai energy group needs to import more LNG as its offshore reserves decline. (Photo courtesy of the company)
Energy

Thailand's PTT names new CEO to oversee LNG expansion

Auttapol beats out five other candidates to take top job

Alibaba's market value grew to $570 billion in 2019 through Dec. 20, ensuring that it will end the year as Asia's most valuable company.
Markets

Alibaba becomes most valuable Asian company as market cap tops $500bn

Samsung and TSMC surged in 2019; Indian automakers and SE Asian airlines slumped

Guangzhou Automobile Group's vehicle sales fell 4% on the year for the first 11 months of 2019. (Photo by Takashi Kawakami)
Automobiles

China's SAIC and GAC seek safety in numbers as car sales fall

Automakers form partnership spanning connected cars and services

© Illustration by Ming Chuan Ong
Asia Insight

Japan's Abe faces cold reality in rush to save 'ice age' workers

Last-ditch plan seeks 300,000 jobs for middle-aged 'lost generation'

Stream article image
Asia Insight

Asia's flashpoints: What could go wrong in 2020

Missiles, military clashes, defaults and political crises in the cards

Xi's ability to restrain his own hard-liners will be tested.
Opinion

2020 look ahead: China will be punching bag in US presidential election

Donald Trump and Democratic rival can compete to see who is tougher on Beijing

SoftBank is massively undervalued, which gives options to Masayoshi Son.
Opinion

2020 look ahead: SoftBank's Son must repair damaged reputation

WeWork debacle has undermined efforts to raise $108 billion Vision Fund 2

Carlos Ghosn leaves the Tokyo detention house in April 2019 after being released on bail. (Photo by Taro Yokosawa)
The Nikkei View

Ghosn's flight to Lebanon undermines Japanese sovereignty

International confidence and public trust at risk if case goes unresolved

Time & Style factory craftsman Yu Yokoyama.
Arts

Hokkaido furniture maker attracts big names with go-slow approach

Time & Style blends northern Japan's prized timber with old traditions

An Australian Aboriginal man plays a didgeridoo at Government House in Sydney.
Tea Leaves

Acclaimed book points to a brighter Australian future

Alternative view of night sky in 'Dark Emu' illuminates debate on Aboriginal rights