July 22nd, 2021

THE COVID GAMES

Japan hosts an Olympics it could not stop

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The Big Story

Athletes upstaged by political drama as Japan's COVID Olympics open

Strict regime of isolation, masks and testing has not prevented outbreaks

Going ahead with the Tokyo Olympics, which are scheduled to open on July 23, reflects not so much a decision as the lack of one.

India's monstrous second wave of COVID-19 caused most of its over 400,000 fatalities during the pandemic and derailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vaccine diplomacy.

Asia Insight

India's COVID second wave disrupts vaccine export plans

Asia faces shortage as world's biggest jab producer still battles outbreak at home

Shimano President Taizo Shimano poses at the company's headquarters in Osaka. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)

Business Spotlight

Shimano pedals faster as COVID pandemic propels cycling boom

New president takes on e-bikes as Japanese manufacturer enters its second century

Sinovac vials at a hospital in Jakarta: Indonesian health officials hope mixing vaccines will offer health workers better protection.

COVID vaccines

Delta-hit ASEAN turns to vaccine 'mixing and matching,' boosters

Five things to know about how shortages and doubts are impacting COVID jab plans

The Japanese health ministry is currently weighing approval of Avigan as a COVID-19 treatment. (Source photos by Tomoki Mera and Takaki Kashiwabara)

Coronavirus

Avigan maker Fujifilm faces China military risk to patent

Approval doubts threaten health care ambitions of Japanese company

Earlier this month, it was found that French prosecutors are investigating Fast Retailing and other global apparel makers suspected of concealing crimes against humanity in China's Xinjiang region. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Companies

Uniqlo says no forced Xinjiang labor used in making its products

Fast Retailing reports 67% rise in third-quarter net profit

India's leading digital payment provider Paytm announced its planned IPO on Friday, following tech start-up Zomato, which last month announced a $1.1 billion listing.

IPO

Paytm sets India's largest-ever IPO, targeting $2.2bn

Digital payment provider rides on growth momentum from COVID restrictions

Toyota has decided against running any Olympic-related TV ads in Japan as public sentiment toward the sporting event remains mixed at best. (Source photos by Yo Inoue and AP)

Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Top sponsor Toyota pulls all Olympic TV ads in blow to Games

Companies begin to distance themselves from unpopular event

Keigo Oyamada, the composer for next week's Olympic opening ceremony in Tokyo, has resigned after his admission to bullying disabled classmates resurfaced.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Tokyo Olympics composer Keigo Oyamada resigns over past bullying

Opening ceremony songwriter admitted in interviews to abusing disabled classmates

An intensive care unit worker conducts a medical check on a COVID-19 patient at Bogor City Hospital, Indonesia on June 23.

Coronavirus

Indonesia overtakes India to become Asia's COVID epicenter

Southeast Asia's largest economy reports new daily record of 47,899 new cases

A display at the Semicon China trade show in Shanghai:

Semiconductors

Chip decoupling risks costly failure, TSMC founder warns APEC

Taiwan envoy Morris Chang calls for free trade in civilian semiconductors

Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan tells Nikkei Asia about how Canberra is navigating its tariff and other disputes with China on July 17. (Photo by Yasunori Okamura)

Interview

Australia wants China talks but will be 'patient': trade minister

'Team approach' with industry mitigates Beijing tensions as Quad ties deepen

U.S. President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga participate in a virtual meeting with leaders of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue countries at the White House on March 12.

The Nikkei View

US must urgently regain Southeast Asia's trust

Cooperation with ASEAN nations vital in countering China’s growing influence

A plane carrying a batch of China's Sinovac vaccines arrives at an airport in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, on July 7: China has spared no efforts to show its magnanimous side.

Opinion

Understanding China's pettiness complex

Mean-spirited tough-guy antics have won Beijing nothing but bad press

A food seller sails her boat at Cai Rang floating market on Mekong river in Can Tho, Vietnam, on May 5: more than 70 million people rely on the river for their livelihood.

Opinion

Why we should care about fate of the Mekong

Worsening environmental degradation will impact millions

In his latest book, "Toxic," author Richard Flanagan writes about the "slow, rolling destruction" he says Tasmania's salmon industry is wreaking on the environment. (Nikkei montage/source photos by Penguin Books and Getty Images)

Arts

Book review: Acclaimed Australian author takes on local 'salmon barons'

Richard Flanagan lifts lid on dark side of Tasmania's lucrative fish farming industry

I wanted to celebrate my 40th birthday by overcoming my biggest fear: Driving a long distance on an Indian highway by myself. (Photo by P. Sarkar)

Tea Leaves

My way on the highway -- an Indian road trip

Lone women face violence on India's roads, but we should brave our fears