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February 13th, 2020

Creative disruption

Forged in endless crises, Thailand's youth is finding its political voice

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The Big Story

Thailand's fearless youth stands up to the military and monarchy

The government struggles to reach a generation no longer cowed by authority

In their lifetimes, young Thais have already witnessed one financial crisis, two coups, endless protests and sweeping constitutional change. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
A Cathay Pacific plane taxis at Hong Kong International Airport. Several employees of mainland state-owned companies told the Nikkei Asian Review that there is an "unspoken rule" among colleagues not to fly with Cathay. (Photo by Shinya Sawai) 
Business Spotlight

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific: One company, two systems

74-year-old airline navigates through coronavirus and protests

Many normal business operations are suspended in China until Feb. 9, but the coronavirus-caused disruption could continue beyond that.
Datawatch

Coronavirus exposes downside of global dependence on China

China's share of world trade has doubled since SARS outbreak of 2003

Amata halted a $1 billion "smart city" project outside Yangon, Myanmar due to the coup. (Source photos by Reuters and Shinya Sawai) 
Companies

Thai developer invests $1bn to put Myanmar industry on global map

Amata aims to woo foreign manufacturers with modern industrial zone in Yangon

Central Retail, which is set for an IPO, operates the Central and Robinson department stores and other retailers. (Nikkei montage)
Markets

Thai IPOs surge as tycoons seek to modernize their family empires

Central Group aims to raise $2.5bn from retail unit in country's biggest-ever listing

Mahindra unveiled what it called "India's most affordable" electric vehicle. (Photo by Akira Hayakawa)
Automobiles

Mahindra unveils $11,000 electric SUV as India goes green

Automaker turns to local parts to keep prices low

Eliud Kipchoge, third from right, ran the world's first-ever sub-two-hour marathon in Nike Vaporfly shoes.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Mizuno weighs early shoe launch as ultra-thick soles escape ban

Japanese company eyes Olympics berth after rules defuse Nike's Vaporfly controversy

Tony Fernandes, CEO of Southeast Asia's largest discount airline AirAsia will suspend himself for the next two months, effective immediately. (Photo by Keiichiro Asahara)
Companies

AirAsia CEO steps aside for 2 months amid bribery allegations

Airbus payoff accusations cloud outlook for SE Asia's biggest discount carrier

LG Chem's operating profit fell for the second straight year.
Companies

LG Chem's operating profit dips 60% in 2019 on battery woes

Higher demand from EVs helps, but cutthroat competition hurts profitability

Bajaj's weak performance underscores persisting troubles gripping India's automobile sector.
Automobiles

Bajaj Auto's domestic motorcycle sales skid amid shift to new fuel norm

Firm warns underlying demand in domestic market declining 8% to 10%

Japan's frugal spending habits pose a challenge for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, after years of Abenomics and despite the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Getty Images)
Asia Insight

Abenomics falters as consumers' fears over social security grow

Tax hike reaction in Japan reveals deep unease ahead of coronavirus impact

During meetings with President Trump, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pointed out the Japan already covers more than 80% of the cost of hosting U.S. troops. (Nikkei Montage/ Source photo by Reuters and Shinya Sawai) 
Comment

Trump demands Japan and South Korea pay for nuclear umbrella

US president's obsession with money puts long-standing relationships at risk

A makeshift memorial to Li Wenliang is seen at an entrance to his workplace, Wuhan Central Hospital, on Feb. 7.
Coronavirus

Outrage over doctor's death puts Beijing on defensive

Public anger mounts on online forums after coronavirus claims Li Wenliang's life

Tourists in Bangkok: Thailand's central bank cut its policy interest rate on Feb. 5 amid a steep drop in foreign travelers caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus

Emerging markets cut interest rates to blunt coronavirus damage

Thailand and Brazil opt for record lows as tourism and resources take hit

Euros on display at a central bank. The European Central Bank is one of the institutions exploring the idea of issuing its own digital currency.
Cryptocurrencies

Central bankers to forge ahead on digital currencies in April

Chiefs from Japan, Canada and Europe will meet and focus on cross-border transfers

Hong Kong-based jeweler Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group reported its revenue for the six months ended last September fell 0.6% from the same period in 2018. 
Commodities

Weaker Asian jewelry buying weighs on gold demand in 2019

Analysts expect firm prices in 2020 amid fears over impact of coronavirus

Reconstruction in October after the attack on Saudi Aramco's oil facility in Khurais in Saudi Arabia.
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo stands on the deck of its naval ship at Selat Lampa Port, Natuna Islands which overlap with the tip of China's nine-dashed-line on Jan. 8.
Opinion

ASEAN members start standing up to China's maritime aggression

Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia are challenging Beijing in court and at sea

Shin proved cooperation between the two countries could work. (Courtesy of Lotte Group)
Obituaries

Lotte Group founder showed Japan and South Korea how to work together

Shin Kyuk-ho tried to calm historical antagonism between the countries

A Union Jack flag on the tag of a mattress in a store in Bangkok: total two-way trade between Britain and ASEAN amounted to more than $48 billion in 2018.
Opinion

Post-Brexit UK should prioritize Southeast Asia trade deals

London is well-placed to surpass Brussels in relations with ASEAN

Medical workers attend to coronavirus patients in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Wuhan, China.
The Nikkei View

Global food markets need buffer against China's gyrations

Coronavirus, trade war and swine fever show vulnerability of key commodities

Rosewood Yangon, the city's first "ultraluxury" hotel.
Life

Discreet boom highlights Yangon's resilience

Politics have fueled Western criticism, but new investors are flocking

Traditional Kalighat painter Bhaskar Chitrakar produces all of his artwork on his bed in his childhood home in Kolkata. (Photo by Manob Ghosh)
Arts

Kolkata's satirical painter sustains ancient tradition

Bhaskar Chitrakar sets down modern life in India in his artwork

Buildings on the Philippine resort island of Boracay are left in ruins on Dec. 26, the day after Typhoon Phanfone hit the area. (Photo by Dave Kendall)
Tea Leaves

Typhoon highlights technology's relentless grip

Boracay calamity delivers a warning of our 'machine-learned helplessness'