October 19th, 2023

Asia's new digital dimensions

Metaverse hype may have died down in the West, but appetite is still growing in Asia

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The Big Story

Asia's metaverse is still thriving, from digital cities to gaming

In Japan, Philippines and more, virtual worlds are expanding despite Meta's flop in the West

A man wearing a VR headset explores the metaverse version of Shibuya, a district in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)

Ben Horowitz, co-founder and general partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. (Photo courtesy of Andreessen Horowitz)

Startups

Japan needs to do more to boost entrepreneurship: Ben Horowitz

Co-founder of Silicon Valley venture fund says taxes and regulations must change

A Huawei Mate 60 Pro smartphone at the company's flagship store in Beijing on Sept. 25: At the core of the handset are 7-nm microchips made by SMIC.

Opinion

U.S. regulators made Huawei's chip 'breakthrough' possible

SMIC exploited loose licensing and poor standards but still faces limits

Shipping containers at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang: As Vietnam continues to integrate its production with China's, its growing export sector will make it more susceptible to external shocks.

Opinion

Vietnam is pointing the way for ASEAN to upgrade its exports

Region's economies should seek alignment with emerging Chinese sectors

The Nikkei View

China must immediately end unfair detention of foreign nationals

Tokyo should employ top-level diplomacy to secure citizens' release

Maruti Suzuki sells high-end vehicles through its newly established Nexa sales channels, where staff offer customers refreshments in semi-private booths to enhance the shopping experience. (Photo by Sayumi Take)

Business Spotlight

India's Maruti Suzuki looks beyond EVs for green growth

Automaker says electric-only is not the right strategy for the massive developing market

Google's Asia Pacific President Scott Beaumont: "Asia is where the opportunity is." (Photo courtesy of Google)

Technology

Google explores generative AI market in Asia-Pacific region

Company's regional president says, 'The wind is in the sails'

About 5.5 million Japanese people regularly visit a sauna, roughly equivalent to Finland's total population. (NIKKEI montage/Source photos by Reuters and AFP/Jiji)

Business trends

Finland's sauna giants target Japan as emerging hot spot

Nordic nation capitalizes on booming market for things that make you sweat

Sports

Pakistan's arcade heroes take esports world by storm

Upstart nation gives gaming world's powers run for their money

South Korea has more than doubled the maximum number of visas for migrant workers this year versus 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

Asia Insight

South Korea turns to migrant labor to fuel growth

With falling birthrate, country widens range of jobs filled by foreign workers

Currencies in Southeast Asia have trended lower against the dollar in recent months due to tepid regional economic growth and interest rate gaps with the U.S. (Source photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Market Spotlight

Malaysian, Thai economies suffer as currencies slide vs. dollar

ASEAN depreciations bring higher import costs and increase inflation risks

U.S. President Joe Biden raises a toast with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong in Hanoi on Sept. 11.

Economy

Biden's Vietnam visit generates new wave of interest in investment

American businesses may flock to the country in fourth investment boom

Singapore will raise bus fares and fees for utilities in December. (Photo by Fumika Sato)

Inflation

Singaporeans face higher bills and fares as inflation bites

Government announces support measures for lower-income families

President Emmanuel Macron welcomes his Mongolian counterpart Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to the Elysee Palace in Paris as part of his state visit.

Materials

Mongolia opens way for uranium mining with $1.7bn French deal

Production at southwestern site could start in 2028, says French miner Orano

Something for everyone: The goods at shrine and temple flea markets are always surprising. (Photo by Stephen Mansfield)

Life

Japanese flea market culture reflects shifting social attitudes

On any weekend in Tokyo, visitors can step back in time as they sift through trash and treasure

Our Memorial Museum, in Minamisoma, Fukushima prefecture, showcases 50 artworks inspired by the disaster, dominated by a striking woodcarving created by a sculptor who lost his home. (All photos by Yuki Kohara)

Tea Leaves

Humanizing the story of Fukushima

'Hope tourism' initiative brings creativity and local perspectives to official accounts