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February 16th, 2023

Japan's new money man

Kazuo Ueda takes over the toughest job in central banking

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The Big Story

Kazuo Ueda: Next BOJ chief inherits world's toughest central bank job

'Nonideological' pragmatist tasked with unwinding controversial legacy of predecessor Kuroda

Economics professor and longtime Bank of Japan policy board member Kazuo Ueda, left, is set to succeed Haruhiko Kuroda as BOJ chief in April. 
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has vowed "unprecedented" measures to boost births, while experts say the challenge goes hand in hand with improving the overall economy. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Asia Insight

Japan readies 'last hope' measures to stop falling births

Experts say next 10 years are critical as Kishida eyes 'children first' society

Jos Dijsselhof, CEO of the Swiss Exchange, or SIX, said in a recent interview with Nikkei Asia that he was “a bit overwhelmed" by the pace of Chinese companies coming to list in Zurich. (Nikkei montage/Reuters/Kenji Kawase)
Business Spotlight

Switzerland helps China Inc. satisfy its itch for overseas listings

Swiss exchange opens its door as going public in U.S. becomes more fraught

Keenon Robotics server robot delivers food on trays at a restaurant in Shanghai.
China tech

Chinese unicorn aims to sell half of robot waiters outside mainland

Keenon Robotics ramps up global expansion after zero-COVID lean years

Business leaders exchange ideas on driving progress in private sector efforts to slow climate change at the Asia Green Tech Summit in Singapore on Feb. 8. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) 
Climate Change

Green tech investments set up Asia for sustainable growth

Regional companies urge climate crisis collaboration at Nikkei-FT summit

Multiple hydrogen projects are in the works on Singapore's Jurong Island, now a hub for fossil-fuel power and chemical plants. (Photo courtesy of JTC)
Energy

Singapore hydrogen strategy draws local energy firms, foreign tech

Keppel and Sembcorp recruit partners as city-state eyes new supply chain

Pakistan briefly sought to ban Wikipedia before intervention from the top. Activists say the move is part of a larger pattern of trying to control the internet. (Source photos by AP and Yuki Kohara)
Politics

Pakistan bans, then unblocks, Wikipedia amid digital freedom fight

Government's internet policy could have profound economic effects: experts

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, right, welcomes here East Timorese counterpart, Adaljiza Magno, during the 32nd ASEAN Coordinating Council meeting in Jakarta on Feb. 3.
International relations

East Timor faces economic challenges ahead of joining ASEAN

Talent, financial deficits weigh on tiny state also caught up in China-U.S. tussle

Diabetes patients in Asia and Africa are projected to total 560 million by 2045 as affluence and urbanization lead to changes in dietary habits.
Datawatch

Diabetes ravages emerging nations in Asia, Africa

Number of patients projected to jump 50% by 2045 as dietary habits change

Pedestrians cross a street in Central District in November 2022: The government needs to put more effort into retaining current residents.
Opinion

Hong Kong has to rebuild confidence in its policymaking

Investors must be persuaded that government will keep economy as priority

Employees pack boxes containing vials of Covishield coronavirus vaccine at the Serum Institute of India in Pune in November 2021: New Delhi should seek to amend the constitution and consolidate drug regulation at a national level. 
Opinion

Time for India to be firm with drugmakers rather than deregulate

Lax stance risks opportunity for 'friend-shoring' to serve Western nations

A man carries a fishing net after collecting clams near an abandoned mosque that has been claimed by the sea in Jakarta's Muara Baru district in August 2021. Indonesia's capital is one of the world's fastest-sinking cities, afflicted by out-of-control development and rising sea levels caused by global warming. (All photos by Garry Lotulung)
Life

The drowning land: Indonesia's climate crisis

Parts of the country's coastline are disappearing as sea levels rise

A dog walker in Tokyo in October 2020: Gone are the days when Japanese mainly kept canines for guarding their homes and for hunting.
Tea Leaves

Japan puts new meaning into 'dog's life'

Once banished outdoors, canine pets benefit from social and economic changes