Datawatch

Users of the new AI technology need to know its pros and cons to reduce risk and maximize benefit.
Datawatch

Generative AI mania brings billions of dollars to developers

Total enterprise value jumps sixfold in two years to $48 billion

4 March 2023
The world may see a shortage of crude oil in the second half of 2023 due to increased demand from China and a further output cutback by Russia.
Datawatch

Renewed China energy demand threatens to fuel global inflation

Crude oil seen topping $100 a barrel this year as Chinese economy picks up

25 February 2023
The U.S. Defense Department expects China to raise its stockpile of nuclear warheads to 1,500 by 2035, an increase of more than 300% versus 2022.
Datawatch

End of two-way nuclear deterrence makes world more dangerous

Countries other than U.S., Russia now hold more than 10% of nuclear arms

18 February 2023
Diabetes patients in Asia and Africa are projected to total 560 million by 2045 as affluence and urbanization lead to changes in dietary habits.
Datawatch

Diabetes ravages emerging nations in Asia, Africa

Number of patients projected to jump 50% by 2045 as dietary habits change

11 February 2023
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, U.S. tech giants rapidly expanded their workforces in anticipation of rising demand, but many are now retrenching to correct overstaffing. 
Datawatch

Mass layoffs at U.S. tech giants help startups secure IT talent

Job cuts in sector rose 13-fold in 2022 but few had trouble finding new work

5 February 2023
Japanese businesses tend to outsource systems development to outside vendors while neglecting to foster in-house experts in cybersecurity. 
Datawatch

Cyberattacks on Japan soar as hackers target vulnerabilities

Number doubles in three years as intruders exploit weak defenses

28 January 2023
The global vaccine coverage of 1-year-olds fell for the first time in two decades in 2020 as the COVID pandemic disrupted immunization campaigns for measles and other diseases in many countries.
Datawatch

COVID disrupts measles and other vaccinations in Asia, elsewhere

Pandemic saps resources to protect infants from contagious diseases

21 January 2023
Despite growing exports, Japanese alcoholic beverages still account for just 0.1% of the global market, according to the National Tax Agency.
Datawatch

Japanese liquor makes little splash in global market

Exports are growing, thanks to weak yen, but red tape limits marketing potential

14 January 2023
Japan's budget for the next fiscal year is its biggest ever, yet insufficient tax revenues limit its ability to invest in growth areas.
Datawatch

Japan's fiscal rigidity spawns vicious cycle of low growth

Only 30% of budget spared for discretionary spending due to limited tax revenues

7 January 2023
Japan’s primary income from overseas investment continues to climb thanks to an acquisition spree by Japanese businesses.
Datawatch

Investment powerhouse Japan earns 10% of GDP from overseas income

Primary income surplus tops world ranking again in 2021

24 December 2022
While Japanese consumers race to find cheaper deals amid inflation, some food companies have increased sales of pricier items thanks to savvy marketing.
Datawatch

Japanese food makers find shoppers are ready to swallow higher prices

Costlier products outsell cheaper ones in nearly half of categories in study

17 December 2022
Japan's household income has risen 10% over the past five years, but higher taxes and social security costs continue to erode the gains.
Datawatch

Japan's households make more money but higher taxes, expenses bite

Monthly income up 10% over 5 years as number of dual-earner households increases

10 December 2022
As younger investors shift their focus overseas, people aged 70 and older now make up the largest cohort of retail investors in Japanese stocks.
Datawatch

Elderly make up 40% of retail investors in Japan Inc.

Younger Japanese shun domestic stocks to invest overseas

4 December 2022
A satellite survey taken between 2015 and 2020 by researchers at the University of Rhode Island reveals that Asia accounts for 17 of the 20 fastest-sinking cities in the world.
Datawatch

Flood risk rises in Asia as cities grow, land sinks

Water hazards affect one-third of region's population

27 November 2022
Heavily dependent on imports for their wheat supply, many Asian countries are facing growing risks of food security in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Datawatch

Growing appetite for wheat exposes Asia's soft underbelly

Consumption up 30% in 10 years but Ukraine war threatens food security

20 November 2022
About 70% of new homebuyers in Japan opt for variable-rate mortgages, exposing themselves to rising interest rates.
Datawatch

Japan mortgage balances soar despite slowing property values

Total outstanding loans top $1.5tn but BOJ rate risk looms

12 November 2022
Japan lags Britain and other European countries in energy productivity gains due to economic stagnation and policy disarray.
Datawatch

A former leader in energy efficiency, Japan loses magic touch

Its 10% drop in greenhouse gas emissions due to slow growth, falling population

6 November 2022
Remote work has given women with small children more job opportunities and helped narrow the gender gap in work hours.
Datawatch

Telework moves women off Japan's notorious 'mommy track'

Increased job hours could help working mothers boost pay and promotion prospects

31 October 2022
The weak yen will not last forever, but in the meantime even small Japanese companies have started or are considering e-commerce sales to consumers abroad. (Nikkei montage) 
Datawatch

Japan's cross-border e-commerce booms on cheaper yen

Sales up 80% in 2 years as IT facilitates market entry for smaller companies

27 October 2022
Japan's attractiveness as a place to work continues to fade as the yen weakens and wages rise in other Asian countries.
Datawatch

Foreign workers shun Japan as yen's value plunges

Average wage in dollar terms falls 40% over 10 years

16 October 2022
Slow to embrace cloud computing, Japanese businesses are seen as losing their competitive edge.
Datawatch

Slow cloud migration hinders digital transformation in Japan

Off-site data services comprise 4% of IT spending, a third that of North America

9 October 2022
From left, Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, and Zhong Shanshan (Nikkei montage/AP/Reuters/Getty Images)
Datawatch

Asia has over 950 billionaires, outnumbering all other regions

Rich Asians are becoming more common, particularly in China and India

4 October 2022
Unicorns and smaller startups have entered a stage testing them for balance.
Datawatch

Unicorns' growth strategy reaching turning point

SBG, other nontraditional investors squeeze money, prioritize profit

2 October 2022
North Korea has been making progress in making its missiles harder to detect and intercept, increasing the threat of nuclear strikes against the U.S. and its allies in East Asia. (Source photo by Korea Media/Kyodo) 
Datawatch

North Korea strives to make missiles harder to intercept

Arsenal with variable trajectories account for 40% of firings since 2019

26 September 2022
Japan's push for housing quantity over quality has produced many homes that do not meet current earthquake and energy-saving standards.
Datawatch

More empty homes: Japan's housing glut to hit 10m in 2023

Government continued to encourage house-building despite population decline

11 September 2022