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January 16th, 2020

The Carlos Ghosn Show

What Japan Inc. really thinks about Nissan's maverick savior

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The Big Story

What Japan Inc. really thinks about Ghosn, Nissan's maverick savior

Carlos Ghosn's downfall sets up a clash between Japan's old guard and its reformists

With Carlos Ghosn gone, Japan is being forced to grapple with his legacy -- and to decide whether to keep faith with the business revolution in which he played a role.
An influx of Chinese money and workers coupled with loose regulations fueled explosive growth in Cambodia's coastal city of Sihanoukville. (Nikkei montage)
Business Spotlight

In Cambodia's boomtown, a gamble on Chinese money goes sour

Online casino ban slams the brakes on Sihanoukville's runaway growth

Business leaders in East Asia expect U.S. President Donald Trump to be reelected but see less chance that his trade war with China will ease. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters)
Business trends

Over 70% of East Asian executives expect Trump reelection

Two thirds of South Korean leaders see better ties with Japan this year

Beyond Meat's hamburger patties are among the substitutes showing up in Asian restaurants.
Food & Beverage

Mock meat merchants smell $16bn opportunity in Asia-Pacific

From Mos Burger to Li Ka-shing, everyone wants slice of market in 2020

A crowd forms around Sony's Vision-S all-electric concept car Wednesday at the CES electronics expo in Las Vegas. (Photo by Yoichiro Hiroi)
CES 2020

Sony's electric car wows CES in bid for tech talent

Effort headed by engineer who led Aibo robot dog project

Samsung's Sero, a television that can be viewed horizontally or vertically, is shown at the 2020 CES in Las Vegas. The South Korean group envisions smart cities equipped with connected devices.
CES 2020

Smart cities: Samsung and Toyota sketch future urban life at CES

Two global manufacturers move beyond machines to user experiences

Seoul Metro and startup Farm8 are exploring innovative methods of food production in urban areas. (Photo by Kotaro Hosokawa)
Startups

Underground farms sprout in Seoul's subway stations

Consumers give thumbs up to less polluted air

The future of coal power generation and coal demand depends on China, according to the International Energy Agency.
Commodities

Asia's appetite for coal grows, with China the key decider

India's consumption forecast to climb even as renewables flourish

Mahindra showcased its electric vehicle, ATOM, at the India Auto Show in February 2018.
Automobiles

Mahindra to step up electric vehicle play amid India clean-energy push

Company to launch several EVs, starting with e-KUV100 model next month

Most companies will only need to report half-year and full-year results after Feb. 7.
Markets

Singapore to drop quarterly reporting rule for listed companies

SGX to tighten other disclosure norms to protect investors

E-Mart will focus on luring customers back to its signature big-box stores, like this location in Seoul's Yongsan District. (Photo by Kotaro Hosokawa)
Retail

South Korea's E-Mart ends foray into discount stores

Retailer applies low-price strategy to reinvigorate mainstay hypermarkets

Anwar Ibrahim, left, is waiting for Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, right, to hand him the reins of government as promised. (© Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters, Getty Images)
The shift toward IT and away from manufacturing is a game changer for capitalism. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Neo Capitalism

System glitches: Capitalism shows its age in the digital era

Tech giants, climate change and protectionism cast doubt on conventional wisdom

A protest in Hong Kong on Dec. 8: Fears of losing individual freedom have prompted many residents to consider leaving Asia's financial hub.
Neo Capitalism

Capitalism's flaws spur soul-searching, from Bill Gates to AI

Hong Kong and US pay price as beacons of economic freedom dim

Russia and China have become increasingly wary of the U.S. and have stepped up military cooperation.
Comment

Russia all but destined to edge closer to China in 2020

Still on the outs with the US, Putin has no choice but to buddy up to Beijing

Police monitored the run but no major clashes had been reported. (Photo by Masayuki Yuda)
Politics

Thousands join Thai rally demanding regime change

In a countermove, anonymous organizers host a pro-government event

Locals look on as floods hit the Jatinegara area of Jakarta after heavy rains in this Jan. 2 photo. Dozens of people have died in the deluge.
Politics

Jakarta governor's 2024 presidential hopes hit by deadly floods

Anies Baswedan is accused of diverting protection funds for vanity projects

Muslim protesters shout slogans during a pro-Palestinian rally outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta in June 2018: when it comes to fighting Americans, they will support Iran.
Opinion

Soleimani killing tests Iran's ties with Malaysia and Indonesia

Southeast Asian countries face choice between Tehran and Saudi Arabia

Indonesian cashless payments platform LinkAja is a rare example of successful alliances.
Opinion

ASEAN needs smart regulation to boost financial inclusion

Unclear rules are hindering fintech companies from reaching millions

A pedestrian overpass at the Pudong financial district in Shanghai: what is required is a fundamental shift in China's investment mindset.
Opinion

ESG investment starts to gain a foothold in China

Companies focused on environmental, social and governance factors perform better

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen waves to supporters on Jan. 11 in Taipei. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
The Nikkei View

China must respect Taiwan's desire for distance

Tsai's reelection shows consensus in favor of democracy and autonomy

Sayyed Abrar, one of the 75 participants in Project Dastaan, watches a 3D simulation of his childhood from his home in Fresno, U.S. He and his wife, Musarrat, migrated from Pakistan in 1947 and have not been able to visit since. (Courtesy of Project Dastaan)
Life

Virtual reality reconnects casualties of Partition with ancestral homes

Digital project comes out of Oxford University initiative

Balinese high priestess Ida Resi Alit. People line up for hours at her home near Ubud every day to receive her blessings. (Photo by Ian Neubauer)
Life

Outlook is bright for Bali's 'rain stoppers'

Shamans earn big fees at events, from weddings to global banking conferences

An old stream train makes a rare departute from Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok. (Photo by David Sutton)
Tea Leaves

In praise of Southeast Asia's old railways

As high speed rail projects proliferate new uses must be found for older lines