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November 2nd, 2023

China's panda business

How countries from the U.S. to Malaysia are funding Beijing's softest power tool

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The Big Story

China's panda business: How zoos from U.S. to Japan fund Beijing soft power

'Panda diplomacy' has cost countries nearly $300 million over past three decades

China's panda business: How zoos from U.S. to Japan fund Beijing soft power
Toshi Yoshihara is a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in Washington. (Photo by Masahiro Okoshi)
International relations

China missile edge over U.S. puts Japan at risk of threats: analyst

CSBA's Yoshihara sees Middle East conflict drawing American attention from Asia

U.S. policymakers chose to let Lehman Brothers collapse in 2008.
Opinion

China's 'Lehman Brothers moment' will be just as tense as 2008

Just because Beijing can rescue failing companies does not mean that it will

Limited application opportunities at public national universities like the University of Tokyo likely disproportionately penalize women averse to high-stakes competition.
Opinion

Sex imbalance at Japan's top university is worth worrying about

Underrepresentation of women at University of Tokyo has significant consequences

A poster of founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is displayed on a building in Istanbul as part of events marking the 100th anniversary of modern Turkey.
The Nikkei View

Turkey at 100: Its global role is more important than ever

Ankara should leverage its strengths to promote regional stability

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, behind the wheel, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, were all smiles in Riyadh. Companies from their countries signed dozens of business deals.
Business Spotlight

From EVs to digital, South Korea bags deals in tense Middle East

Hyundai, Naver join Yoon during his business-focused trip to Saudi Arabia and Qatar

Workers repair electricity lines in Hanoi. Vietnam was hit by a wave of power cuts over the summer, with some companies worried the problem will persist over the coming years.
Energy

Vietnam power crunch fears darken business outlook

Experts say blackouts could repeat in 2024 due to plant delays, grid constraints

YouTrip is seeking to expand its footprint in Southeast Asia following a fresh $50 million in funding from investors. (Photo by Tsubasa Suruga)
Startups

Singapore's multicurrency wallet YouTrip to enter Malaysia, CEO says

Startup secures $50m in funding to tap regional travel and business demand

Globalwafers Chair and CEO Doris Hsu: Hsu has said her company will start qualification and test production of 8-inch SiC wafers next year. (Photo by Cheng Ting-Fang)
Semiconductors

Globalwafers to mass produce advanced SiC wafers by 2025

Global race for power semiconductors used in EVs is heating up

Through a joint venture, China's COSCO owns 40% of the cutting-edge Vado Port System, one of its many investments in Europe. (Photo ©︎ Andrea Botto)
Asia Insight

Italy's Belt and Road blues highlight hopes for India-Europe corridor

New route runs into questions over China's port footholds and Middle East war

From left to right: Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo and Prabowo Subianto. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Indonesia election

Indonesia presidential race shapes up as three-way fight

Defense chief jumps in, gains support from Jokowi's two sons amid controversies

Japan's government wants the ideas and energy that international talent can bring to the economy. (Photo courtesy of Best Beer Japan)
Japan immigration

Japan to ease residency rules for foreigners starting a business

Founders could stay for up to 2 years without investment

Doug Marsden, owner of Phnom Penh brewpub Chug Lab, cut his brewing teeth as a teenager in Australia. (All photos by Markus Bell)
Life

In search of Cambodia's budding brewmasters

Drinkers in Phnom Penh warm to emerging craft beer makers

Women gather near the main entrance of the University of Tehran on Oct. 24. Despite laws requiring women to cover their hair with a hijab, not everyone complies.
Tea Leaves

Life as a woman in Iran, uncensored

Challenges remain, but there has been real change in recent decades