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March 18th, 2021

CASH SPLASH

Sea outspent rivals and transformed Southeast Asia's digital market. But can it last?

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Society

Japan to try Americans who helped Ghosn escape: 5 things to know

Country's contentious 'hostage justice' system in global spotlight again

Carlos Ghosn, former chief executive of Nissan and Renault, gestures during a news conference at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Jounieh, Lebanon, in September 2020. 
U.S. Marines participate in an amphibious assault exercise in Chonburi, Thailand, in February 2020: the Marines will be sea-based and able to sail into the waters of the South China Sea.
Opinion

How the US military is preparing for a war with China

Juicy targets include artificial islands in the South China Sea

Yuan and dollar banknotes: we have to look at the fundamentals underpinning trend economic growth.
Opinion

Will the yuan rise to match China's growing economic power?

Once in place, the dominant international currency is not easily challenged

The leaders of the U.S., Japan, India and Australia participate in the Quad's virtual summit on March 12. (Photo by Kei Higuchi)
The Nikkei View

Quad should form foundation for broader international cooperation

Framework offers diplomatic and economic counterweight to China

Investors seem to believe that Sea can be all-conquering: The surge in its share price last year seems to price in the likelihood that, one day, it will own the entire region's market.
The Big Story

Cash splash: How Sea became Southeast Asia's biggest public company

E-commerce powered one of the pandemic's biggest winners

Coupang founder and CEO Bom Suk Kim, third left, rings the NYSE opening bell before his company's IPO on Thursday.
Business Spotlight

After Coupang soars in US IPO, can it deliver for the long term?

SoftBank-backed e-commerce giant faces profitability and labor questions

Demand for the 5G-capable iPhone 12 mini has been far lower than Apple initially expected. (Photo by Rie Ishii)
Technology

Apple slashes planned iPhone 12 mini production for 1H

Total iPhone target for 2021 still at 230m units despite global parts shortage

China's aviation market is a great opportunity for a budget carrier, says an important new investor in Malaysia-based AirAsia. (Source photos by Reuters)
Transportation

AirAsia's China dream gets strong backing from new investor

Amateur poker player Stanley Choi keen to bet on huge market after COVID

Rakuten, which began as a platform for online retailers, is teaming up with Japan Post as it endeavors to become a bigger player in Japan's digital economy. Walmart and a Tencent subsidiary are investing in its latest expansion. (Source photos by Arisa Moriyama, Kosaku Mimura and Reuters)
Business deals

Rakuten lands $2bn in capital from Tencent, Walmart and Japan Post

Move helps Japan online group strengthen mobile business and take on Amazon

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's abhorrence of high interest rates resulted in close to 15% inflation in 2020.
Asia Insight

Erdogan swallows 'bitter pills' as inflation again rocks Turkey

Architect of past growth blasts president for letting currency slide and cash flee

Police officers raise China's and Hong Kong's flags at a ceremony in Hong Kong on Thursday. The National People's Congress approved the electoral system proposal almost unanimously.
China People's Congress

China approves Hong Kong election overhaul bill

Beijing-controlled committee will have authority over legislative candidates

People attended a candlelit prayer vigil outside the U.N. offices in Bangkok on Mar. 4 for those who died in anti-coup protests in Myanmar.
Myanmar Crisis

Coup strands over a million Myanmar workers in Thailand

Largest Burmese community abroad can only watch the unfolding misery

A police officer arranges seized drugs in Bangkok in 2018: The region's governments hope better communication will help tackle cross-border crimes including smuggling.
International relations

New crime-fighting network to help ASEAN tackle cross-border cases

Japan and UN back effort to combat traffickers and cyberthieves in time of COVID

Tiny bars line a backstreet in Tokyo's Shinjuku district. In his book "Tokyo Junkie," Robert Whiting writes with a sense of wonder and empathy toward his chosen subject and adopted home. (Robert Whiting collection)
Life

Books: Japan through the eyes of a 'Tokyo Junkie'

Robert Whiting traces the changes in a city, and himself, across six decades

It is easy to feel a little superior when you think you have discovered a tourist destination that is off the regular track, and that was how my family felt about the ocean-blue waters of Lake Toba. (Photo by John Duerden).
Tea Leaves

Indonesia embraces best and avoids worst of 'Bali model'

Jakarta pins hopes on Lake Toba for a new model of sustainable tourism