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Economy

Japan’s Takaichi grows cautious of setting GDP defense spending target

Tokyo sees 3.5% level sought by Trump as unlikely in five years Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to strengthen deterrence and response capabilities in New York on Tuesday. © Kyodo TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is growing increasingly cautious about committing to a defense spending target as a share of gross domestic product to be achieved in five years, given the difficulty the country will face in reaching the 3.5% level the U.S. is demanding.

September 24, 2026

Economy

How ‘affordability’ makes Gen Z Americans open to Chinese EVs, chips

Consumer attitudes as midterms approach could sway Trump's stance on trade barriers Many affordability-focused young U.S. consumers would consider buying an electric car from Chinese brands like BYD. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters) TOKYO -- A survey released this year by Cox Automotive found that 69% of U.S. Gen Z drivers would consider buying from Chinese automakers like BYD or Geely. This demographic -- ranging from high school age to around 30 -- makes up about a fifth of American consumers and is set to influence consumption trends for a decade or more.

September 24, 2026

Economy

Japan broadcasters roll out AI for explosion effects, other uses to cut costs

Technology is being used for special effects, sports analysis, announcing TBS used AI to create some special effects in a scene from the drama "Vivant" that depicted explosions at hospitals across Japan. © TBS TOKYO -- Japan's major commercial broadcasters are incorporating artificial intelligence into program production, hoping to compensate for falling advertising revenue by improving efficiency while guarding against copyright and other risks.

September 24, 2026

Economy

Tokyo port follows Singapore, Busan with expansion, green upgrades

Oi Container Terminal project will make room for ultra-large vessels, boosting capacity An illustration of the Oi Container Terminal in fiscal 2035 after the upgrade project. (Tokyo Metropolitan Government) TOKYO -- The Port of Tokyo's core container terminal will undergo redevelopment to become a world-class logistics hub with improved sustainability that can welcome ultra-large vessels.

September 24, 2026

Economy

Japan regains ‘land of gold’ shine as prices surge

Companies look to mines, trash and seawater in search of precious metal TOKYO -- Japan, a country once described by Marco Polo as a "land of gold," is receiving renewed attention from foreign and domestic companies looking to extract the precious metal both from the ground and from urban waste.

September 24, 2026

Economy

Japan’s EdgeCortix looks to work with SpaceX on space data center chips

Edge AI startup unveils new product, signs multimillion-dollar deal with Kawasaki Japanese chip startup EdgeCortix participated in the AI Infra Summit in Santa Clara, California from Sept. 15-17. (Photo by Yifan Yu) PALO ALTO, California -- Japanese government-backed semiconductor startup EdgeCortix has unveiled its latest chip designed for physical AI, with the aim of deploying it not only on factory floors but also in space.

September 24, 2026

Economy

CXMT, SMIC power 620% surge in profits in China’s chip industry

Bonanza spills over to chip tool makers Naura and AMEC during first half China's AMEC, which saw net profit quadruple in the first half, exhibited at a chipmaking equipment trade show in August. (Photo by Tomoko Wakasugi) SHANGHAI -- Earnings at Chinese chipmakers have grown more than 600% during the first half, buoyed by the artificial intelligence boom and a national campaign for self-sufficiency.

September 24, 2026

Economy

Trump-Xi summit live: US welcomes Chinese president with pomp

Rare tarmac greeting opens three-day state visit as security tightens US President Donald Trump and US first lady Melania Trump walk with China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan upon their arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, September 23, 2026. © Reuters WASHINGTON/NEW YORK -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump are holding their second summit of the year, amid lingering tensions over tariffs, rare earth materials, artificial intelligence and other issues. After Trump traveled to Beijing in May, the venue this time is Washington. The White House is putting on an elaborate show of welcoming the Chinese leader, including a state dinner. At the outset, upon Xi's arrival, the U.S. said the two sides agreed to extend their trade truce, which had been due to expire Nov. 10. But expectations for broader tangible results were modest, after their earlier meeting produced what many experts saw as symbolism over substance.

September 24, 2026

Economy

India’s solar companies face cell shortage amid China hurdles

Move to localize manufacturing hampered by export curbs, lack of knowhow India is experiencing a solar cell shortage as it moves to localize manufacturing of the entire solar value chain. © Reuters BENGALURU -- India's small and midsize solar manufacturers are grappling with an acute shortage of cells in the market just as the country is pushing for domestic manufacturing of these critical building blocks for panels, due to hurdles related to Chinese equipment imports, financing and lack of cutting-edge knowledge.

September 24, 2026

Economy

Australia reveals OpenAI agent breached government health website

Albanese chides US company for September notification of June breach Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, says he has expressed "extreme concern" to OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman over a company AI agent having gained unauthorized access to non-public files from a government website. (Source photos by Reuters) CANBERRA -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says an OpenAI agent gained unauthorized access to non-public files from a government health website in June, in the latest case raising concerns about the safety of autonomous artificial intelligence tools.

September 24, 2026

Economy

Israeli foundry Tower Semiconductor to make Japan main hub for optical chips

$4bn investment aims to meet booming demand for AI server technology Tower Semiconductor has three manufacturing sites in Japan, as well as plants in Israel and the U.S. © Reuters TOKYO -- Israeli foundry Tower Semiconductor will set up its largest production hub for optical communications semiconductors in Japan with its planned $4 billion investment, CEO Russell Ellwanger told Nikkei on Thursday.

September 24, 2026

Economy

US and China agree to extend trade truce until January: Bessent

Two-month extension follows 'very productive talks,' Treasury secretary says U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent looks speaks to the media at the World Bank on the day of his meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Washington on Sept. 23. © Reuters WASHINGTON/NEW YORK -- The U.S. and China have agreed to extend a fragile trade truce by two months until January, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday as Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off his first state visit to Washington in over a decade.

September 24, 2026