Supply Chain

Toyota Motor and other Japanese car companies make almost not electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids in North America. (Photo by Shuji Nakayama)
Automobiles

U.S. tax credit for EVs out of reach for Toyota, most other Japanese cars

North American production rule for vehicles and batteries presents roadblock

14 August 2022
The Mount Weld rare-earths mine in Western Australia. Shares of Lynas Rare Earths, which owns the mine, are at the highest point in about four months.
Supply Chain

Rare-earth prices fall on supply increase and China auto slowdown

Beijing loses leverage of once potent export ban despite rising tensions with Washington

13 August 2022
Vedanta is teaming up with Taiwan's Foxconn as India pushes for stronger supply chains. (Source photos by AP and courtesy of Vedanta) 
Semiconductors

India's Vedanta set to choose site for $20bn tech hub with Foxconn

Country pushing to develop local supply chains for chips, other components

12 August 2022
Nintendo will continue to sell all three Switch models, but the production outlook is unclear beyond this year, Furukawa said. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
Interview

Nintendo Switch price isn't going up, despite higher costs: president

Shuntaro Furukawa sees big game releases like Pokemon boosting sales

11 August 2022
New orders for Land Cruisers have been suspended in Japan because production cannot keep up. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Automobiles

Used Land Cruisers fetch over double new price amid Toyota shortage

$129,000 resale price shows car buyers willing to pay more to skip waitlist

11 August 2022
Honda will raise prices as it updates models in the U.S., its main market, and look for opportunities to lift prices in Japan. (Photo by Kei Higuchi)
Automobiles

Honda raises profit outlook thanks to weaker yen

Automaker maintains target of 4.2 million unit sales for current fiscal year

10 August 2022
Vietnam says it has attracted a semiconductor investment from Samsung.
Semiconductors

Samsung to begin making semiconductor parts in Vietnam in 2023

Southeast Asian nation picks up win in global battle to attract chip suppliers

6 August 2022
Apple suppliers are gearing up for the launch of the latest iPhone and other new products this autumn.  
Supply Chain

Apple warns suppliers to follow China rules on 'Taiwan' labeling

Stepped up scrutiny of import documents raises disruption fears for iPhone maker

5 August 2022
South Korean electric battery manufacturers LG Energy Solution and SK Innovation reported depressed earnings for the second quarter.
Supply Chain

Tesla battery supplier LG Energy, South Korean peers take hit from material costs

Investments in higher capacity also weigh on sector's earnings

5 August 2022
Lexus production has been hampered by the global shortage of semiconductors. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Automobiles

Toyota earnings outlook clouded by $13bn cost increase, Lexus backlog

Chip shortage continues to disrupt production of luxury brand models

5 August 2022
Japan's Toyota, the world's largest automaker, is facing a shortage of semiconductors and other challenges.
Automobiles

Toyota shares fall 3% despite higher net profit forecast

Investors worry cost surge will overwhelm boost from yen's depreciation

4 August 2022
Murata Manufacturing scaled back production to around 90% of capacity from 95% in July as market uncertainties grow. (Photo courtesy of Murata Manufacturing)
Electronics

Japan electronic parts makers' rising stocks stoke production cut fears

Taiyo Yuden cites China lockdowns, while Murata sees smartphone slowdown

4 August 2022
The U.S. Congress recently passed the bipartisan CHIPS Act, earmarking $52 billion in subsidies for the industry. (Photo by Ryosuke Eguchi)
Materials

After CHIPS Act, Japanese supplier to triple U.S. semiconductor chemical output

Exclusive: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical invests $372m to ramp up production

4 August 2022
Showa Denko Materials is the top supplier of cerium oxide-based wafer polishing slurries. (Photo courtesy of Showa Denko)
Semiconductors

Chip industry supplier Showa Denko to boost output of wafer polishing agent

Materials maker will spend $150m on new capacity in Japan and Taiwan

3 August 2022
Asian LNG buyers are competing with European purchasers reeling from Russia's move to tighten supplies in July.
Energy

LNG price spike causes energy crises in strapped Asian nations

Pakistan deals with power shortages and production cuts amid tenfold jump

3 August 2022
There is a growing view among industry analysts that the chip market has passed its peak in the current round of the boom-bust cycle.
Semiconductors

Chip crunch eases for phones and PCs, but not for cars

Decline in consumer device demand hints at tipping point in industry cycle

2 August 2022
Toyota Motor and Panasonic Holdings want to establish a U.S. lithium supply chain through their battery joint venture Prime Planet Energy & Solutions. (Nikkei montage)
Supply Chain

Toyota-Panasonic battery venture gains U.S. lithium supply

5-year deal with Australian miner combats shortage of crucial EV material

1 August 2022
MediaTek CEO Rick Tsai said the chipmaker's customers, which include the world's leading smartphone makers, will continue to adjust their inventories for another "two to three quarters."
Semiconductors

Mobile chip king MediaTek lowers outlook on expected smartphone dip

New foundry partner Intel reported a sharp drop in profit amid PC downtown

29 July 2022
Taiwan hosts the lion's share of global production capacity for high-end semiconductors.
Semiconductors

Japan, U.S. to launch R&D for 2-nm chip mass production

Economic and diplomatic chiefs to discuss supply chains at 2+2 meeting Friday

29 July 2022
Malaysia's liquefied natural gas exports more than doubled by value in June.
Trade

Malaysia, Indonesia exports surge as energy and food prices soar

China slowdown and U.S. rate hikes loom over robust ASEAN trade

28 July 2022
Manufacturers have invested in Fanuc's factory robots to deal with the shortage of labor. (Photo by Yuki Fukumoto)
Technology

Robot maker Fanuc's profit up 5% as EV industry drives record sales

Japanese manufacturer sees little improvement in supply chain constraints

28 July 2022
Chipmaker Tsinghua Unigroup recently was taken over by a duo of investment funds after going through bankruptcy proceedings.
Semiconductors

Creation of China chip supply chain key for Tsinghua Unigroup revival

Embattled Chinese chipmaker to build synergies with newly related companies

27 July 2022
The Harrier is known as the Venza in North America. (Photo courtesy of Toyota)
Supply Chain

Toyota nixes SUV orders in first cancellation due to output delays

Harrier customers asked to take remodeled version coming out in September

26 July 2022
French fries have been scarce in Japan for more than six months.
Food & Beverage

Japan's french fry shortage supersizes imports from China

With U.S. shipments disrupted, restaurants find new suppliers and rethink menus

25 July 2022
Many Japanese companies have long pursued lean inventories, but COVID-triggered supply disruptions made it harder to replenish their stocks and boost output to meet a recent recovery in demand.
Datawatch

Lean inventory turns into liability for Japan Inc.

Bottlenecks in supply chains force companies to rethink their strategy

22 July 2022