Japan developers warn of risk for new condo delays due to Iran war
Economy

Japan developers warn of risk for new condo delays due to Iran war

Hormuz closure continues to shake up building material supply chains Japanese condo developers are warning customers to prepare for delays but say no projects are behind schedule yet. (Photo by Shun Kato) TOKYO -- Major Japanese real estate companies are notifying customers about possible delays in handing over new condominiums due to construction material shortages, as the supply chain turbulence caused by the Iran war continues to spread.

May 12, 2026
Panama Canal oil shipments soar 70% as Asian buyers turn to US crude
Economy

Panama Canal oil shipments soar 70% as Asian buyers turn to US crude

With Hormuz unpassable due to Iran war, ships vie for limited canal transit slots Only a limited number of ships can pass through the Panama Canal each day. © Reuters TOKYO -- Crude oil and petroleum products traveling through the Panama Canal swelled more than 70% above last year's levels in April, as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent Asian buyers scrambling to secure supplies from the U.S.

May 12, 2026
Honda and Toyota see sharp Chinese sales drops as competition heats up
Economy

Honda and Toyota see sharp Chinese sales drops as competition heats up

Higher gasoline prices depress sales of gas-powered vehicles The Honda Accord on display at the Beijing Auto Show in April. (Photo by Shizuka Tanabe) GUANGZHOU -- China sales for Honda Motor and Toyota Motors dropped sharply in April as local competition heats up and higher fuel prices discourage buyers.

May 12, 2026
Sony to buy music catalog from Blackstone with Singapore’s GIC
Economy

Sony to buy music catalog from Blackstone with Singapore’s GIC

Company will acquire rights to 45,000 songs, including Lady Gaga hits Lady Gaga performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8. © Reuters TOKYO -- Sony Music Publishing has agreed to acquire the catalog of Recognition Music Group from a Blackstone fund for an undisclosed price, the Japanese company said Monday, giving it the rights to 45,000 songs including tracks by artists like Lady Gaga and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

May 12, 2026
Samsung union open to averting strike, wants pay transparency
Economy

Samsung union open to averting strike, wants pay transparency

Company is bleeding talent to memory chip rival SK Hynix, labor leader says Samsung Group United Union returned to negotiations with management on May 11. (SGUU) SEOUL -- The head of the biggest labor union at Samsung Electronics says it would prefer to avoid a strike set to begin May 21 if the South Korean company improves transparency in its compensation, citing concerns over employee distrust and talent outflows to rivals.

May 12, 2026
Major Japanese university to avoid alternative assets in $3bn endowment
Economy

Major Japanese university to avoid alternative assets in $3bn endowment

Science Tokyo will stick with stocks and bonds amid private credit jitters Institute of Science Tokyo will split its endowment portfolio evenly among domestic and foreign stocks and bonds. (Nikkei composite) TOKYO -- The Institute of Science Tokyo will set up an endowment fund that aims to achieve a 5% annual return from a portfolio of traditional assets, planning to eventually reach 500 billion yen ($3.18 billion) in assets under management.

May 12, 2026
Japan space startups to train engineers from India, Philippines, Indonesia
Economy

Japan space startups to train engineers from India, Philippines, Indonesia

JICA program to coach professionals on satellite manufacturing, data reading Participants in JICA's training program will learn how to build and use satellites in Japan. (Photo by Dai Kuwamura) TOKYO -- The Japan International Cooperation Agency will launch a program in which Japanese startups train space industry professionals from developing nations including India, the Philippines and Indonesia, Nikkei has learned.

May 12, 2026
Panasonic EV battery production delayed again as customer order stalls
Economy

Panasonic EV battery production delayed again as customer order stalls

Japanese group has yet to ramp up output of new high-capacity model Panasonic Energy's 4680 battery, right, is twice as large as its earlier 2170 model and has roughly five times the capacity. (Photo by Yo Inoue) OSAKA -- A Panasonic Holdings unit has postponed mass production of a new electric vehicle battery once again while it waits for a major customer to place its order.

May 12, 2026
From stigma to listing: F88 brings Vietnam pawnshops into the mainstream
Economy

From stigma to listing: F88 brings Vietnam pawnshops into the mainstream

An F88 outlet in Hanoi, part of a rapidly expanding network of “new-generation” pawnshop chains in Vietnam. (Photo by Nguyen Van Anh) Rapid network growth fuels planned listing this year, testing investor appetite HANOI -- When Phung Anh Tuan was a 20-year-old university student two decades ago, he ran out of cash to pay staff at a cybersecurity startup. A bank loan was out of reach on such short notice, so he walked into a pawnshop, pledged what he had and borrowed enough to keep the business going.

May 12, 2026
Why Mitsubishi Electric won’t follow Hitachi by selling appliance arm
Economy

Why Mitsubishi Electric won’t follow Hitachi by selling appliance arm

Company sees field as critical to understand consumers despite low profit margin Mitsubishi Electric's Kirigamine was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2017 as the longest-running cross-flow-fan air conditioner brand. (Source photos by Nikkei and Mitsubishi Electric) TOKYO -- Hitachi's move to divest its consumer appliance business amid restructuring triggered speculation that Mitsubishi Electric might follow suit. But Mitsubishi Electric, which sees the sector as a key point of contact with consumers, has made clear that it has no such plans.

May 12, 2026
Japan’s NEC seeks edge in undersea cable with high-capacity fiber
Economy

Japan’s NEC seeks edge in undersea cable with high-capacity fiber

Company to invest $600m-plus in tech, cable-laying capacity as market grows Submarine cables are wound at a factory belonging to NEC subsidiary OCC. (Photo by Kyoko Hariya) TOKYO -- Japan's NEC is looking to hone its undersea cable technology to secure a bigger share of a critical market for international telecommunications, with plans to invest more than 100 billion yen ($636 million) in the submarine cable business over five years.

May 12, 2026
ICC confirms arrest warrant issued for Duterte ally over drug war
Economy

ICC confirms arrest warrant issued for Duterte ally over drug war

Lawmaker Dela Rosa currently under Senate's protective custody Supporters of Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, ​the chief enforcer of former President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly "war on drugs," hold a protest as Dela Rosa is placed under the protective custody of the Senate in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on May 11. © Reuters MANILA -- The International Criminal Court confirmed Monday night that it has issued an arrest warrant for Philippine Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, accusing him of acting as a co-perpetrator in ex-President Rodrigo Duterte's antidrug campaign.

May 12, 2026