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August 8th, 2024

Harris takes on Trump

Asia braces as U.S. races toward poll

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The Big Story

Harris takes on Trump: Asia braces as U.S. heads toward poll

As diplomats weigh policy hints, VP picks Walz and Vance vie for working class votes

Vice President Kamala Harris' jump to the top of the Democratic Party's 2024 presidential election ticket caught many Washington diplomats off guard. While they weigh whether she will extend President Joe Biden's current Asia policies, they must also prepare for the prospect of a new, unpredictable term for former President Donald Trump.
Despite ongoing labor shortages in Japan, workers in their 40s or early 50s face a raft of challenges getting promotions and pay raises.
Datawatch

Japan's 'lost generation' faces slow pay growth, lack of promotion

Survivors of 1990s hiring 'ice age' are now in their 40s or early 50s

The coconut tree meme was originally used by Republican opponents with the intention of casting Kamala Harris in a negative light, but it has since switched sides to become a kind of symbol of her presidential campaign.  
Opinion

What the Coconut Tree meme says about Kamala Harris' Indian heritage

A southern Indian saying reflects the VP's background and values that have shaped her

By establishing a family offices hub, Indonesian President Joko Widodo aspires to transform the resort island of Bali into a financial magnet akin to Singapore.
Opinion

Indonesia's bid to create family office hub in Bali is a tough ask

Emulating Singapore's gold standard requires investment and strategic reforms

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will face off in the presidential election now that incumbent Joe Biden has withdrawn from the race. (Source photos by AP)
The Nikkei View

U.S. presidential candidates should have open debate on policy

Racist language and smear campaigns will only worsen social divisions

Construction on Rapidus' first plant is underway in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, with mass production slated for 2027. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Kyodo and Yuki Nakao) 
Business Spotlight

Rapidus: How a phone call from IBM reignited Japan's chip ambitions

Startup preparing to begin test production of high-tech semiconductors in April

The Bangkok headquarters of CP All, one of the companies whose shares have benefited from announcements related to the government's digital wallet initiative.
Equities

Thailand's top stocks reap gains on digital wallet rollout

Food retailers, convenience stores and lenders among main beneficiaries

Convenience stores under the WinMart+ brand are at the center of Masan's retail expansion plans. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Retail

Vietnam retailer Masan aims for 30m loyalty members in expansion bid

Conglomerate plans to triple convenience stores to 10,000 by 2030

BTS member Jin enjoyed some of his favorite beverages, including Milkis, at a June 13 fan event just after finishing his mandatory military service. (Hybe)
Media & Entertainment

K-pop's sway over fan spending lures foreign investors

But BTS agency Hybe's court battle highlights looming governance concerns

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, left, and Defense Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung, center, attend a ceremony with new army recruits at a military camp in Taichung in June.
Asia Insight

Taiwan turns to own 'Iron Duke' Wellington Koo to deter China

Civilian defense minister aims to sharpen asymmetric warfare capabilities

Bangladesh's garment industry is a major export earner.
Economy

Bangladeshi mismatch in export data cements doubts on official stats

Now-smaller GDP threatens South Asian nation's negotiation capacity with lenders

Myanmar's military regime of Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing appears to be on the defensive in Rakhine state. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and AFP/Jiji)
Myanmar Crisis

Arakan Army pushes Myanmar's military to brink in monsoon war

Rebel group says it looks to 'eradicate all' regime's forces from Rakhine state

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, third from left, attends Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace in New Delhi on June 9.
International relations

Maldives pushes to mend relations with India, eyeing tourism and aid

President thanks New Delhi for financial support; tourism minister visits India

Shanghai's fashionable West Bund district is luring art lovers from China and beyond. (All photos by John Krich)
Arts

Shanghai repositions as cutting-edge art hub

West Bund development includes four big museums plus private galleries and cafes

Electronicos Fantasticos founder Ei Wada rocks out on a converted fan. The collective's members range from primary school kids to engineers at appliance companies. 
Tea Leaves

Japan's reverence for past gives new musical meaning to old appliances

Improbable avant-garde artists' collective Electronicos Fantasticos celebrates a retro-future