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November 9th, 2023

The rise and rise of BYD

How China's premier EV maker became Tesla's biggest rival

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The Big Story

How China's BYD went from bargain battery maker to Tesla's biggest rival

In-house cost cutting, tech innovation and state industrial policy drove recent export surge

Chinese electric vehicle titan BYD's booth was pride of place at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo last month. The U8 model, pictured, made its first appearance outside China at the event. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)
Japan's trade ministry proposed allowing loss-making small businesses to carry forward the tax benefits of wage hikes until they become profitable.
Datawatch

Japan fails to boost wages with tax break

About 60% of smaller companies remain ineligible due to unprofitability

A job fair in Zhengzhou, China in September: Some cities report that only 40% of new graduates are finding employment. (FeatureChina via AP)
Opinion

China cannot let the ambitions of young graduates be extinguished

Too many are disappointed with choices on offer in current economy

A model of Hindustan Aeronautics' Sukhoi-30 MKI twin-seat fighter at an exhibition in Visakhapatnam, India in March: Stock analysts are bullish on the outlook for defense companies.
Opinion

India is shooting for the moon with its arms-making push

Drive to increase local defense production and exports faces challenges

Fumio Kishida became the first Japanese prime minister to address the Philippine Congress on Nov. 4. 
The Nikkei View

Japan and ASEAN should push forward with security cooperation

Both sides must deepen ties in the face of China's maritime aggression

A Cambodian girl collects rubber sap at a farm in Tbong Khmum province. 
Business Spotlight

From Cambodia to Thailand, rubber producers brace for new EU rules

Deforestation regulation's requirement to prove sources called tough and costly

Southeast Asia's digital economy is expected to reach $295 billion by 2025 in gross merchandise value, down from a previous forecast of $330 billion. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Startups

Southeast Asian startup fund returns lag China, India amid tech slide

Google-led report shows region facing pressure to pay back investors

Singapore asset manager Keppel and Indian real estate developer Rustomjee Group have stakes in a Mumbai residential project named Lavie. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by screenshot from Keppel's website and courtesy of Keppel) 
Property

Singapore's Keppel looks to India amid China's property woes

Temasek-owned asset manager eyes South Asia as Chinese rout continues

The enthusiasm of Thai youth for K-pop is partly due to the success of Lisa, a member of the popular South Korean girl group Blackpink. 
Business trends

Thailand's youth, economy dance to the beat of Thai-born K-pop stars

Southeast Asia's Korea boom ushers in new era of Thai entertainment

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in 2017. Questions surround China's aims to be a diplomatic power broker in the Middle East.
Asia Insight

Israel-Hamas war tests China's global diplomacy ambitions

Facing calls to influence Iran, Beijing eyes Indo-Pacific and growing U.S. burdens

Pita Limjaroenrat, the former prime ministerial candidate of Thailand's Move Forward Party, visited the U.S. this week for the first time since failing to secure the leadership post. (Photo by Sompop Tatiyaratana)
Interview

Thailand's Pita wants to put country back on U.S. and international radar

Ex-prime minister hopeful eyes comeback in next election

India's new import monitoring system for computers and other selected IT hardware takes effect Nov. 1. (Source photos by Kosaku Mimura and Ken Kobayashi)
Trade

India launches IT hardware import management system: 5 things to know

Monitoring of PCs and tablets follows uproar over plan to impose restrictive licensing

Former Taiwanese military chief Lee Hsi-min believes the island should shift its focus away from large warships and fighter jets. 
Interview

Ex-Taiwan military chief says U.S. help will take 'weeks' in crisis

Lee Hsi-min calls for asymmetric approach focused on mobile precision arms

The rush to harness the wind that blows around the South China Sea could increase the geopolitical tensions that already swirl over the strategic body of water.
South China Sea

South China Sea brims with rare earth and renewable power promise

Chinese companies are early movers with wind turbines in disputed waterway

In "Perfect Days," veteran Japanese actor Koji Yakusho plays a toilet cleaner who takes pleasure in the small joys in life. (Photo by Yuji Sadai)
Arts

Wim Wenders elevates Tokyo toilets into a movie masterpiece

'Perfect Days' seen in Japan as a top pick for best international film Oscar

Cats crowd the harbor on Aoshima, a small island in southwestern Japan where felines outnumber humans by roughly 24 to 1. 
Tea Leaves

Behind Japan's curious obsession with cats

Perhaps feline freedom is the lifestyle model the nation needs