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March 23rd, 2023

China's demographic debacle

An aging, shrinking population threatens a Japan-style "lost decade"

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The Big Story

China's aging population threatens a Japan-style lost decade

Beijing's brutal one-child policy tackled overpopulation but did it go too far?

China's aging and shrinking population presents a potential demographic crisis, putting pressure on an already strained pension system and threatening future economic growth. 
Students walk to school on the outskirts of Agartala, India in 2018: The government must fully invest in children's education.
Opinion

India's failing schools rule out any 'demographic dividend'

Expanded ranks of unemployable youth will not bring prosperity

India has big ambitions to expand its EV industry, and the "inferred" lithium deposits found in Jammu and Kashmir could help reduce its reliance on imported battery materials.
Commodities

India's big lithium find fuels hopes and fears in Jammu and Kashmir

Deposits could power EV boom but also affect environment, Pakistan tensions

Analysts say Chinese President Xi Jinping has been consolidating power and strengthening Communist Party control over a range of matters, including the country's vast trove of data.
Asia Insight

China's new power structure tightens grip on data, tech, finance

State and CCP overhaul aims to counter U.S., boost economy, curb dissent

A Starbucks outlet in Beijing in January 2022: Localization has become more important than ever.
Opinion

Foreign companies are not all rushing back to China

Multinationals reassess whether local production and sales are still worthwhile

Young people drink coffee at a local coffee shop in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Business Spotlight

Vietnam's coffee culture survives 10 years of Starbucks

Deep history, popularity of local brews make country hard for global brands to crack

Ronald Lam, Cathay Pacific Airways' new CEO, stressed the importance of mainland Chinese routes in an interview with Nikkei Asia on March 16. (Photo by Takeshi Kihara)
Transportation

Cathay Pacific CEO counts on China travel demand for recovery

More Japan routes to be added to budget carrier HK Express

Meghan O'Sullivan, the North American chair of the Trilateral Commission, speaks in New Delhi on March 12. O'Sullivan was deputy national security adviser for Iraq and Afghanistan under President George W. Bush. (Photo by Patrick Ishiyama)  
Indo-Pacific

Trilateral Commission calls 2023 'Year One' of new world order

Members discuss China, middle powers and ChatGPT at meeting in India

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad poses for a portrait after an interview in Tokyo on March 14. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) 
Interview

Mahathir eyes new coalition to fight corruption in Malaysia

97-year-old former PM says Anwar's unity government 'not strong'

Diplomats from Japan, South Korea and the U.S. meet at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta on Dec. 13 to discuss North Korea.
Interview

South Korea less inclined to align with U.S., Japan on China: analyst

3-way partnership will work together better against North Korea, RAND's Hornung says

Stream article image
Food & Beverage

Japan's wine country takes the road to the deep north

Climate change opens up new regional possibilities for vineyards

A selection of vintage clothes on sale at Grapefruit Moon in Tokyo's Koenji neighborhood. (All photos by Abi Buller)
Tea Leaves

How Japan rekindled my love affair with clothes

People who struggle to think beyond Uniqlo should try adding something unique