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Economy

Mazda’s redesigned CX-5 lags in US market as gas prices favor hybrids

Lower tariffs, weak yen help automaker swing to quarterly profit With its lower production costs, Mazda's fully redesigned CX-5 is key to its profit outlook. (Photo by Hirotake Kitagawa) HIROSHIMA, Japan -- Mazda Motor has seen mixed results from its two midsize sport utility vehicle models in the U.S. market, with its redesigned flagship CX-5 struggling while a hybrid model enjoyed strong sales as gasoline prices rose.

August 6, 2026

Economy

Japan stock rally tempered by volatile South Korea market

Global investors increasingly trade AI-heavy Nikkei average and KOSPI as one Both the Japan's Nikkei Stock Average and South Korea's KOSPI gained sharply on Aug. 5. (Source photos by Nikkei and AP) TOKYO -- Japan's Nikkei Stock Average gained more than 2,000 points Wednesday, but many investors remain cautious about joining the rally as Japanese stocks appear increasingly linked to the volatile South Korean stock market.

August 6, 2026

Economy

Japan is buying yen in forex interventions. Where does it go?

Accounting rules mean gains are unlikely to be enough to cover food tax cut Japan has stepped into the currency market multiple times this year to support the yen. (Photo by Akira Kodaka) TOKYO -- Japan's recent foreign exchange interventions have some ruling coalition lawmakers hoping to use yen obtained through these operations to pay for the government's planned tax cut on food.

August 6, 2026

Economy

Dollar faces summer turning point amid yen interventions, US jobs report

Employment figures weigh heavier on market even as seasonal adjustments are less reliable U.S. employment data due to be released Aug. 7 will be a key indicator for the direction of Federal Reserve policy. © Reuters TOKYO -- The dollar's long-running strength in foreign exchange markets shows signs of fatigue after yen-buying interventions bolstered the Japanese currency against the greenback, a shift that could be exacerbated by the upcoming U.S. jobs report.

August 6, 2026

Economy

Japan’s Mizuno makes a play for India market with cricket gear

Athletic equipment maker sees promise as more people don't exercise enough Mizuno will begin with a focus on equipment for cricket, which is hugely popular in India. © Reuters MUMBAI -- Major Japanese athletic equipment maker Mizuno plans to launch sales in India this month, betting on a sports boom as incomes rise and many people do not get sufficient physical activity due to lifestyle changes.

August 6, 2026

Economy

Japan PM quells opponents of food tax cut by citing election pledge

Decision-making process demonstrates Takaichi's tight hold on ruling party Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, center, with Internal Affairs Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, left, and Transport Minister Yasushi Kaneko at the prime minister's office on Aug. 5. (Photo by Ken Suzuki) TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet has decided on a consumption tax cut on food, quelling pushback from cautious ruling party lawmakers by citing a campaign pledge for a general election that resulted in a history victory for the Liberal Democratic Party.

August 6, 2026

Economy

Nuveen on lookout for more M&A deals after ‘perfect match’ Schroders: CEO

Asian target could bring bigger presence or more clients, William Huffman says Huffman told Nikkei that he hopes to conclude the Schroders deal later this year. (Photo by Shintaro Ino) TOKYO -- U.S. asset manager Nuveen will remain open to new acquisitions, including in Asia, after buying U.K. peer Schroders, CEO William Huffman told Nikkei.

August 6, 2026

Economy

Analysis: Xi Jinping shows signs of worry ahead of Beidaihe meeting

Xi Jinping and Cai Qi. Cai was recently seen in the seaside resort of Beidaihe, suggesting that preparations are underway in Hebei province for a conclave between Chinese Communist Party leaders and elders. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and Kyodo) Intraparty coordination begins to prepare for supreme leader's US visit in September Katsuji Nakazawa is a Tokyo-based senior staff and editorial writer at Nikkei. He spent seven years in China as a correspondent, and later as China bureau chief, and was the 2014 recipient of the Vaughn-Ueda International Journalist prize.

August 6, 2026

Economy

South Korea to drop plan for ammonia use in coal plants: energy minister

Policy shift could hinder global production and supply chains of new energy source A power plant in the city of Incheon. South Korea's government aims to end coal-fired power generation by 2040. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok) SEOUL -- South Korea will abandon plans to co-fire ammonia with coal at power plants, energy minister Kim Sungwhan told Nikkei, saying such a practice could extend the life of coal power and thereby counteract Seoul's decarbonization efforts.

August 6, 2026

Economy

Xi purged his generals. Now he needs new ones

China's leader must rebuild denuded high command before PLA centenary Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress walk towards the Great Hall of the People for a meeting in Beijing on March 5. © Getty Images Christopher Nye is a nonresident fellow at the Jamestown Foundation.

August 6, 2026

Economy

Foreign ‘peace tourism’ to Hiroshima swells in troubled times

Tour of A-bomb memorials, World Heritage shrine ranked No. 2 experience worldwide Foreign visitors to Hiroshima, and sites such as Peace Memorial Park, have grown substantially in recent years. (Photo by Yo Inoue) HIROSHIMA, Japan -- The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum drew a record 945,000 foreign visitors in fiscal 2025, almost 40% of the site's total, in a sign of how conflicts involving nuclear powers are refocusing attention on one of the only cities to experience an atomic bombing.

August 6, 2026

Economy

Japan to air new TV drama episodes in Thailand in overseas content push

Government looks to expand live-action segment across Asia as anime dominates Hit TBS drama "Vivant" is one of five titles having new episodes broadcast in Thailand within days of airing in Japan. (Source photos by Nikkei and TBS) TOKYO -- The Japanese government is expanding a pilot project aimed at promoting the country's TV dramas in Thailand, in an effort to gauge overseas demand as it considers extending distribution to other Asian markets.

August 6, 2026