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June 24th, 2021

The money pushers

Debt-fueled economic stimulus hasn't worked in Japan. What about the rest of the world?

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The Big Story

The money pushers: The world is embracing Japan-style economics

While central bankers watch for inflation, the real danger in many countries may be stagnation

The decades Japan spent experimenting with massive government borrowing and spending offer the world a cautionary tale.
A SPAC listing deal gives Anthony Tan 60.4% of Grab's voting rights despite his 2.2% ownership stake. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura) 
Business Spotlight

Grab's $40bn SPAC plan puts CEO Anthony Tan in driver's seat

Super app founder's huge voting power will bring fresh scrutiny of leadership

ASEAN's emblem, center, features stalks of rice that symbolize the 10 member countries' solidarity. 
Asia Insight

ASEAN defends its Indo-Pacific 'centrality' between Quad and China

Myanmar and COVID crises threaten bloc's role in regional order

Copies of Apple Daily on display at a newsstand in Hong Kong. The paper could cease operations in days unless its assets are unfrozen.
The Nikkei View

China's media crackdown in Hong Kong is beyond comprehension

The public's right to know is under attack as clock ticks on Apple Daily

Nikkei tore down the latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro, released in May, to discover which Asian companies are making the most from the high-end tablet. (Photos by Kotaro Igarashi)
Technology

iPad Pro teardown shows sharp increase in Taiwan parts

Apple's dependence on supplies from the island may increase supply chain risks

Samsung announced the construction of a third building at its Pyeongtaek campus in May. (Photo by Kotaro Hosokawa)
Semiconductors

Samsung turns South Korea garrison city into chipmaking boom town

Pyeongtaek represents a confluence of innovation and government largesse

A man receives a vaccine shot in New Delhi on Feb. 13. The country began a free nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program for all adults on June 21.
COVID vaccines

India's Modi government starts free COVID shots for all adults

Move speeds up process to reach goal of vaccinating 940m citizens by year-end

 A general view of the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on June 17.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Spectators at Tokyo Olympic venues capped at 10,000

Sponsors, officials and students in a school program not counted as spectators

From left, Chinese astronauts Tang Hongbo, Nie Haisheng and Liu Boming salute on June 17, before their mission to build China's space station.
Politics

China says astronauts reach maiden space station for first time

Beijing makes leap toward tech self-reliance but says it is open to cooperation

The Macao Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan is housed in the iconic Taipei 101 building.
Politics

Macao follows Hong Kong in closing Taiwan office

No reason given for move that follows China's biggest incursion into Taiwan ADIZ

A delivery worker takes a break in Beijing. Many young Chinese see economic success as beyond their means regardless of virtues such as hard work, and reject the pressure-packed pursuit of a career and family.
Economy

China watches 'lay-flatters' as risk to economy: 5 things to know

More Chinese youths reject pressures over work and family as futile

Benjamin Netanyahu's exit creates a narrow window for diplomacy.
Opinion

Netanyahu casts a long shadow over Israeli politics

New national unity government is testimony to fallen leader's formidable legacy

Diplomatic isolation has forced Putin into China's arms.
Opinion

Putin's Russia is a trap China should avoid

Strongman leaders get a lot worse after a decade in power

The late Myanmar artist Bagyi Aung Soe sought to transcend the Western influences that dominated artistic themes in the country and create illustrations with accessible materials, such as simple markers and pens. His work is being shown at the Centre Pompidou in Paris through Aug. 23. (Photo by Sonny Nyein, courtesy of the Centre Pompidou)
Arts

International exhibition puts spotlight on Myanmar artist

Centre Pompidou mounts retrospective of works by Bagyi Aung Soe

Shlomi Bonet on his rural property with the two halves of the "mystery" tombstone. (All photos by Ian Neubauer) 
Tea Leaves

A broken old gravestone may tell a desperate tale

Mystery tombstone could suggest posthumous social shaming across the ages