Explainer

Kazuo Ueda spoke to reporters as Bank of Japan governor for the first time on April 10. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Bank of Japan

Marathon, not sprint: 4 takeaways from new BOJ head's briefing

Ueda steps back from talk of policy tweaks amid banking turmoil

11 April 2023
An elementary school's yard in Tokyo: Japan has tasked a new agency with creating a "children-centric" society.
Politics

Aging Japan opens Children and Families Agency: 5 things to know

New organization aims to create a youth-friendly society as births fall

3 April 2023
Swiss authorities orchestrated the historic weekend deal to merge Credit Suisse with UBS.
Finance

AT1 bonds and Credit Suisse: 4 things to know

$17bn write-off comes under scrutiny as part of UBS deal

21 March 2023
South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin speaks during a briefing in Seoul on March 6 to announce a plan to resolve a dispute over compensating people forced to work during Japan's 1910-1945 occupation.
Japan-South Korea rift

South Korea's wartime labor proposal to Japan: 5 things to know

What the plan means for Seoul-Tokyo ties and regional security

6 March 2023
The renewed alliance between Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi Motors left unanswered questions over its effect on each member's strategy, and how they will benefit from the partnership.
Nissan-Renault alliance

Nissan-Renault's reworked alliance: 4 things to know

Each side must 'do their job' for alliance to succeed in EVs, new markets

7 February 2023
Gautam Adani's personal wealth has been hit hard in the fallout from a blistering report by a U.S. short-seller. (Nikkei montage/AFP/Jiji/AP/Reuters)
Adani Group

Gautam Adani's empire in crisis: 5 things to know

Indian billionaire and his conglomerate are reeling from short-seller attack

4 February 2023
Commuters wearing face masks arrive at Tokyo's Shinagawa Station on Jan. 20. The government is expected to adjust its advice on masking up, among other changes. (Photo by Yo Inoue) 
Coronavirus

What Japan's COVID threat downgrade means: 5 things to know

Masks, expense coverage, border controls to be reviewed alongside shift to flu status

23 January 2023
The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum was held in its regular format for the first time in three years.
Davos 2023

Davos 2023: 5 takeaways from an Asian perspective

India visibility grows while China, U.S. fail to send top leaders

21 January 2023
How will Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda react to surging bond yields at his penultimate monetary policy meeting this week? (Source photos by Reuters and Mayumi Tsumita)
Economy

Will BOJ's Kuroda deliver another surprise this week? 5 things to know

Options include widening interest rate band, scrapping yield controls or standing pat

16 January 2023
Activists hold up posters during a rally against Indonesia's new criminal law in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on Dec. 6.
Politics

Indonesia's controversial new criminal code: 7 things to know

Critics say 'authoritarian' legislation taints Jokowi's legacy

10 December 2022
Japan has approved "level-4" drone flights, which will allow operators to pilot aircraft over residential areas, even where they have no direct line of sight.
Technology

Urban drone flights now legal in Japan: 4 things to know

Companies rush to roll out delivery systems with 'Level-4' ban lifted

5 December 2022
American billionaire investor Bill Ackman thinks the Hong Kong dollar's peg to the U.S. currency cannot last forever. (Source photo by Reuters) 
Currencies

Short sellers target Hong Kong dollar: Five things to know

Hedge fund billionaire Ackman among investors betting on U.S. dollar peg crash

30 November 2022
Illustration of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' planned nuclear installations. The plants would be built partially underground to minimize damage from earthquakes, plane crashes or other disasters.
Energy

Japan gears up for next-generation nuclear tech: 4 things to know

Mitsubishi Heavy and Hitachi reveal detailed plans for safer reactors

29 November 2022
The ruling DPP, led by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, left, is lagging behind Eric Chu's opposition KMT in the run-up to Saturday's local elections. (Source photos by Reuters) 
Taiwan elections

Taiwan's local elections kick off: 5 things to know

Opposition KMT expected to win big, but not over its pro-China position

26 November 2022
The region's largest tech platforms have reduced their total workforces by as much as 10% this year, with some signaling even further cuts.
Technology

From Sea to GoTo, tech layoffs mount in ASEAN: 4 things to know

Region's platforms hit brakes on aggressive hiring amid market chill

25 November 2022
Ministers deliver statements during the closing plenary at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt on Nov. 20.
COP27

From landmark fund to emissions frustrations: 5 takeaways from COP27

World's biggest climate conference went deep into overtime

21 November 2022
From left: Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's opposition chief; Muhyiddin Yassin, head of the National Alliance coalition; Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the incumbent prime minister; and Mahathir Mohamad, the former and longest-serving leader. (Source photos by Reuters)
Malaysia election

Malaysia's general election: 4 things to know

Some 1.4m new voters aged 18-21 will be key to choosing next government

19 November 2022
Governments have been pushing to bridge rifts at the world's largest climate conference, which kicked off just under two weeks ago at the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
COP27

Five things to know as the clock ticks down at COP27

Delegates rush to reach deal on last scheduled day of summit on Friday

18 November 2022
Over 40,000 delegates are registered to attend COP27, including leaders from some of the world's most powerful nations.
COP27

COP27 climate change summit kicks off: 5 things to know

Key event begins on Sunday, drawing leaders from around the world

6 November 2022
Nepal's Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, right, and former leader K.P. Sharma Oli will be leading their parties into this month's general election. (Source photos by Getty Images)
Politics

Nepal election features familiar faces, big vows: 5 things to know

Old guard expected to hang on in Nov. 20 polls despite signs of voter disillusionment

5 November 2022
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, left, received vows of support from the leaders of South Korea, China and Japan on his recent swing through East Asia. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
International relations

The economic diplomacy of Jokowi's East Asia trip: 5 takeaways

Infrastructure investment, business ties highlight region's importance for Indonesia

29 July 2022
The leaders of Australia, Japan, NATO, New Zealand and South Korea prepare to pose at the alliance's summit in Madrid on June 29. 
International relations

NATO finds old purpose in Russia, new one in China: 5 takeaways

Indo-Pacific takes on greater significance at trans-Atlantic defense summit

1 July 2022
Group of Seven leaders gathered in Germany this week amid the Ukraine war, soaring global inflation and ever-present concerns about China.
International relations

5 takeaways from G-7 summit: Democracies in crisis management mode

With attention stretched between Ukraine and food crises, powers keep eye on China

29 June 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden, center, used his recent trip to Asia to show that the Indo-Pacific region is a top priority for his administration. He met South Korea's Yoon Suk-yeol, Australia's Anthony Albanese, Japan's Fumio Kishida and India's Narendra Modi. (Nikkei montage/Reuters)
Biden's Asia policy

Was Biden's Taiwan statement scripted? 5 takeaways from his Asia trip

Quad summit, new trade framework underscore region's importance to U.S.

25 May 2022