alt

November 30th, 2023

Pakistan on the edge

Afghan refugees bear the brunt of economic turmoil

View all editions

The Big Story

Pakistan makes Afghan refugees pay the price for economic crisis

Threatened with default, government tries reform whilst looking for scapegoats

Pakistani and Afghan flags flutter at the Chaman Border Crossing as a truck carries refugees back to Afghanistan amid Pakistan's crackdown on undocumented immigrants. 
Many elderly widows in Japan depend on survivor's pensions and have lower incomes than welfare recipients.
Datawatch

Older single women face growing risk of poverty in Japan

Over 30% of those 65 or older fall below poverty line after death of spouses

Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, right, and running mate Gibran Rakabuming register their candidacies in Jakarta on Oct. 25.
Opinion

Indonesian dynastic politics has crossed over the line

President Widodo is promoting his children in ways predecessors did not

Nio staff show how the company's debut smartphone works with its EVs: China's hyperaggressive focus on innovation will support its transformation into a more sustainable economy.
Opinion

Innovation justifies optimism in China's long-term economic outlook

Transformation over past decade will support productivity-led growth

From left: Taiwan's presidential contenders Hou Yu-ih, Lai Ching-te and Ko Wen-je. Polls show Lai in the lead, but the outcome is expected to remain unpredictable until the end. (Source photos by Reuters)
The Nikkei View

Taiwan's presidential vote is a chance to show the power of democracy

Island's residents should make their will clear despite interference from China

Thailand and other countries in ASEAN have been affected by the slow return of Chinese tourists, as China's economic weakness and domestic promotions keep them at home. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Business Spotlight

ASEAN tourism banks on year-end boost after weak Chinese return

Flight capacity and security concerns cloud holiday travel forecast

Film production companies are showing interest in the Forest City development's various attractions as a shooting location. (Photo courtesy of Forest City)
Property

Country Garden's Forest City project in Malaysia gets boost from films

International TV, including Netflix reality series 'The Mole,' drawn by scenery

The FujiMart supermarket chain is making a concentrated push into Hanoi. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Business deals

Japan's Sojitz buys Vietnam food wholesaler amid modernization push

Dai Tan Viet deal comes as multinationals pour into country's food distribution sector

MTR's overseas operations contributed 55% to its total revenue in 2022, when it reported a loss. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Transportation

Hong Kong's MTR to partially exit Swedish train operation

Company relies more on real estate as its overseas and local rail businesses suffer

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin says that the country faces an economic crisis, and that the antidote is for citizens to "take pride in spending."
Asia Insight

Thailand PM Srettha faces hard sell in e-wallet plan to stoke economy

'Salesman' turns to domestic woes after foreign focus in first 100 days

Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port on July 16. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

ASEAN economies await a cloudy 2024 amid export worries

Trade-oriented countries are 'not out of the woods' yet after 2023's slowdown

President Yoon Suk Yeol has come down firmly on the side of retail investors regarding the issue of short-selling of shares. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)
Market Spotlight

South Korea's stock short-selling ban raises political questions

Experts, media see potential negative impact of 'populism' ahead of April election

Mohamed Muizzu, the new president of the Maldives, speaks during his inauguration ceremony in Male on Nov. 17.
International relations

Maldives President Muizzu gets down to work, ups ante on India

New administration exposes details of New Delhi's military presence

Paul Lorimer at home with jars of the awamori rice spirit. The containers are among a wide range of items produced by the craftsman, who moved to Japan in the 1970s. (Photo by Stephen Mansfield)
Arts

New Zealand potter crafts life in rural Okinawa

Paul Lorimer is a firm advocate of hands-on, labor-intensive working methods

Young students read Vedic texts in Sanskrit in Madurai, India. The internet is helping to breathe new life into the ancient language. 
Tea Leaves

Why it's worth learning ancient Sanskrit in the modern world

India’s classical language is making a comeback via Telegram and YouTube