Supply Chain

SAIC Motor plans eventually to manufacture electric vehicles in Thailand. (Photo by Tomoko Wakasugi)
Automobiles

China's SAIC Motor to make EV batteries in Thailand this year

Shanghai automaker builds industrial park for components

10 May 2023
Bertrand Loy, president and CEO of U.S. chipmaking material supplier Entegris, says the company is opening its "most advanced" manufacturing center in Taiwan. (Source photos by AP and Getty Images)
Semiconductors

U.S. chip supplier Entegris upbeat on Taiwan despite China tension

CEO Bertrand Loy not 'overly concerned' about industry's current downturn

10 May 2023
Nitori's same-store sales rose 1.2% on the year, but customer traffic declined 5.6%. (Photo by Shihoko Nakaoka)
Companies

Japan furniture seller Nitori's profit dips for 1st time in 24 years

Price hikes drive away customers from affordable homeware chain

10 May 2023
The Group of Seven hopes to encourage developing economies to manufacture products like solar panels.
G-7 in Japan

G-7 to help emerging economies move up supply chains for EVs, solar panels

Partnership with World Bank intended to develop manufacturing, cutting reliance on China

10 May 2023
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) logos: The service could debut in June at about half the price of rival packages. (Photo by Pavlo Gonchar / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)
Supply Chain

NTT service to shield Japan's auto supply chain from cyberattacks

Low-cost package designed for smaller companies with limited security budget

9 May 2023
The government plans to make sure Japanese EVs meet production emissions requirements in other countries.(Photo by Masayuki Kozono)
Climate Change

Japan to require disclosure of CO2 emitted by EV battery production

Subsidies for electric cars could be tied to manufacturing emissions

9 May 2023
Most of the world's cobalt comes from Congo. Japan's Mitsubishi Materials aims to introduce a new production method at a Chilean copper mine.
Materials

Japan's Mitsubishi Materials aims to start cobalt production in Chile

Move would diversify supply chain of metal important for making EV batteries

7 May 2023
Global business leaders and investors gathered at the annual Milken conference in Los Angeles from April 30 to May 3. 
Business trends

India, Indonesia CEOs woo global investors as 'China plus one' options

Emerging Asia's other big economies vie for attention at Milken Conference

5 May 2023
The world's leading aircraft makers have moved to diversify their sources of titanium.
Materials

Toho Titanium lifts output as aircraft makers shun Russian sources

Japan firm to raise Saudi plant's utilization amid supply chain diversification

2 May 2023
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe is presiding over a major shift in Honda's EV supply chain. (Photo by Tetsuya Kitayama) 
Supply Chain

Honda follows Apple model on EVs, working directly with suppliers

New supply chain puts emphasis on batteries, semiconductors

2 May 2023
Japan relies on just a few countries for the bulk of its wheat imports, making it vulnerable to supply disruptions. (Photo by Tadanori Yoshida)
Politics

Japan to weigh food security law in face of Ukraine, Taiwan risks

Planned legislation would mandate food producers to ramp up supplies

29 April 2023
Honda Motor and GS Yuasa will invest 434.1 billion yen to develop and produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles at factories in Japan. The project is expected to receive a subsidy of up to 158.7 billion yen.
Politics

Honda, others to receive $1.8bn in battery, semiconductor subsidies

Japan supports domestic production of critical items, including EV parts

29 April 2023
A production line at a Foxconn facility in Shenzhen. The company, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, is among those starting to shift operations away from mainland China.
Supply Chain

Apple's Taiwan suppliers lead renewed pivot from China

As Sino-U. S. tensions mount, Foxconn and Quanta turn to countries like Vietnam

29 April 2023
Delta Electronics of Taiwan began investing in its electric vehicle operations 15 years ago and has now turned its first quarterly profit in the segment. (Photo by Lauly Li) 
Technology

Taiwan's Delta Electronics logs first profit in EV segment

Overall Q1 profit up 14% on year, tech supplier raises capex plans

28 April 2023
Microsoft has spent over a decade building up the supply chain for its Surface brand of computers and accessories.  
Supply Chain

Microsoft cuts production of Surface accessories amid PC slump

Suppliers given short notice as tech giant consolidates resources

28 April 2023
Fanuc's factory robots work in industries including electronics and autos. (Photo courtesy of Audi)
Companies

Robot maker Fanuc forecasts 20% profit slide on weak Chinese orders

Higher-margin factory automation segment generates smaller share of sales

27 April 2023
Soil containing rare earths is transported for export at a port in China's Jiangsu province, a producer of the metals.
Materials

China ramps up rare-earth production to meet EV, wind power demand

Beijing raises cap amid rising demand and worry over risk to U.S. imports

26 April 2023
Chipmaking investments by Chinese foundry SMIC are driving suppliers to spend as well. (Photo by Shunsuke Tabeta)
Semiconductors

China pumps $7bn into upgrading chip supply chain

Government and industry work together amid U.S. tech export restrictions

22 April 2023
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is a bellwether for the global tech industry, as it supplies many of the world's biggest chip developers.
Semiconductors

TSMC lowers full-year outlook on weak demand, chip surplus

Chipmaker logs better-than-expected Q1, but sees slow recovery ahead

20 April 2023
AUO and Innolux offer the latest pieces of evidence that the display industry has entered a period of capacity consolidation. (File photo by Kensaku Ihara)
Technology

Taiwan's top display makers cut production for consumer devices

Weak TV and notebook demand leaves industry nursing a supply glut

19 April 2023
Panasonic looks to benefit from state and federal subsidies to manufacture lithium-ion batteries in the U.S. (Photo by Yo Inoue)
Automobiles

Panasonic looking at 3 U.S. states for big EV battery spending

Japanese company eyes new factory in Oklahoma, expansion in Kansas or Nevada

18 April 2023
Japanese chemicals maker Kuraray recently began production of high-performance resins at a new plant in eastern Thailand. (Photo courtesy of Kuraray)
Supply Chain

Thailand, Indonesia emerge as bigger links in EV supply chain

Japanese, Chinese and South Korean suppliers get in ahead of vehicle production

18 April 2023
Global battery demand is likely to outstrip supply in the near term, says Virginijus Sinkevicius, European commissioner for environment, oceans and fisheries. (Photo by EV/Georges Boulougouris)
Technology

Europe, Japan can help ease rollout of EV battery rules: EU official

Cooperation key to lowering regulatory burden on carmakers and suppliers

17 April 2023
Higher labor costs are expected to spur demand for labor-saving equipment like conveyor belts.
Technology

Thailand's rising labor costs draw Japan conveyor maker back

Maruyasu Kikai returns to partner with former joint venture, 18 years after exit

15 April 2023
Factories have seen orders canceled in Vietnam, the Asian country most exposed to global swings in trade after Singapore. 
Business Spotlight

Vietnam's manufacturers brace for worse after GDP whiplash

Factory downturn marks sharp reversal and bellwether for Asian supply-chain hub

14 April 2023