Economy — 2,104 insights
BYD, other Chinese brands launch hybrid models in Indonesia
Economy

BYD, other Chinese brands launch hybrid models in Indonesia

Subsidy uncertainty, few charging stations fuel shift from full EVs Jetour, a sub-brand of EV maker Chery, is among the Chinese brands rolling out plug-in hybrid models at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show near Jakarta from July 30 to Aug. 9. (Photo by Tomoyoshi Oshikiri) TANGERANG, Indonesia -- Chinese electric car makers including BYD, Chery and DFSK introduced their first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models in Indonesia at an auto show near Jakarta that opened to the public Thursday.

July 30, 2026
AI supplier Innolight slides after Asia’s second-biggest listing of 2026
Economy

AI supplier Innolight slides after Asia’s second-biggest listing of 2026

Chinese optical parts maker's Hong Kong debut overshadowed by tech buildout worries Zhongji Innolight's Chairman and President Liu Sheng, center, attends a listing ceremony with other executives in Hong Kong on July 30. (Photo by Gloria Li) HONG KONG -- Shares in China's Zhongji Innolight fell in their Hong Kong debut on Thursday, after the supplier of key AI-related equipment raised HK$53.4 billion ($6.8 billion) in Asia's second-biggest listing so far this year.

July 30, 2026
Why Nvidia and others in Silicon Valley oppose a US ban on Chinese AI
Economy

Why Nvidia and others in Silicon Valley oppose a US ban on Chinese AI

America's tech ecosystem needs open-weight models to drive growth as AI bubble fears grow The Trump administration and tech companies are taking different views of how to respond to the rise of Chinese AI models. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images) PALO ALTO, California/HONG KONG -- As the Trump administration floated the idea of banning Chinese open-weight artificial intelligence models, Silicon Valley protested -- even before China's tech companies and government did.

July 30, 2026
China vows to ‘expand’ trade ties as leaders turn cautious on economy
Economy

China vows to ‘expand’ trade ties as leaders turn cautious on economy

Politburo calls for accelerated infrastructure spending to meet growth target as global headwinds mount Beijing has turned more cautious on its growth outlook for second half of 2026, betting on bond funding and infrastructure spending to keep the economy ticking. © Reuters SHANGHAI -- China's top decision-making body on Thursday vowed to expand trade ties, while striking a more cautious tone on the domestic economy in the face of crisis in the Middle East and trade tensions with major trading partners.

July 30, 2026
Philippines joins Southeast Asia’s EV race with $1bn manufacturing subsidy
Economy

Philippines joins Southeast Asia’s EV race with $1bn manufacturing subsidy

Manila offering up to 40% co-funding for battery models to bolster local supply chains A taxi operated by Green Smart Mobility (GSM), a VinFast affiliate, travels on a street in Manila on Dec. 10, 2025. The Philippines is seeking to attract electric-vehicle manufacturing investments through a new incentive program. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) MANILA -- The Philippines has unveiled a $1 billion subsidy scheme to jumpstart its domestic automotive sector and attract foreign investment as it joins Southeast Asia's intensifying electric vehicle race.

July 30, 2026
Takaichi bets on historic food tax cut to ease Japan inflation pain
Economy

Takaichi bets on historic food tax cut to ease Japan inflation pain

PM presses ahead with $30bn cut to 1% rate despite concerns over funding A customer shops for food at a Tokyo supermarket in 2025. (Photo by Nanami Sato) TOKYO -- Japan is preparing to cut its consumption tax on food for the first time, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks to ease the pressure of rising prices on households despite concerns over the country's strained public finances.

July 30, 2026
Microsoft ponders open-weight AI as China models gain ground
Economy

Microsoft ponders open-weight AI as China models gain ground

AI chief says firm is weighing trusted alternative to DeepSeek and others Mustafa Suleyman leads development of Microsoft's in-house MAI family of artificial intelligence models. (Photo by Ryotaro Yamada) PALO ALTO, California -- Microsoft is considering offering some of its internally developed AI models with open weights as Chinese artificial intelligence models gain popularity among U.S. users, Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman told Nikkei.

July 30, 2026
Kioxia ships samples of 9th-generation flash memory
Economy

Kioxia ships samples of 9th-generation flash memory

Japanese chipmaker Kioxia is shipping samples of next-generation flash memory chips. (Photo by Nikkei) TOKYO -- Kioxia has begun shipping samples of next-generation NAND flash memory chips, the Japanese chipmaker said Thursday, with the products expected to be used in smartphones and personal computers.

July 30, 2026
Japan’s ispace bets on H3 rocket instead of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 for moon landing
Economy

Japan’s ispace bets on H3 rocket instead of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 for moon landing

The mission will be ispace's first to use a Japan-made launch vehicle. © Kyodo TOKYO -- Japan's ispace will use the country's H3 heavy-lift rocket for a 2028 lunar lander launch, the startup said Wednesday.

July 30, 2026
CXMT listing propels STAR Market, China’s Nasdaq, to the big time
Economy

CXMT listing propels STAR Market, China’s Nasdaq, to the big time

Chipmaker's strong debut shows how Chinese state funds are underpinning markets CXMT became the most valuable company on mainland Chinese markets after its July 27 listing. © Reuters HONG KONG -- The Shanghai Stock Exchange's high-tech STAR Market has gained prominence thanks to the blockbuster listing of chipmaker CXMT, playing a growing role in China's state-led industrial race with the U.S.

July 30, 2026
Nissan, Denso lead Japan Inc. into quantum computing applications
Economy

Nissan, Denso lead Japan Inc. into quantum computing applications

Automaker teams with startup Quemix on quantum-assisted aerodynamic simulations Quantum computing can be used for a wide variety of applications, from aerodynamic testing to drug discovery. (Illustration by Nikkei) TOKYO -- More Japanese companies are exploring the use of quantum computing, with Nissan Motor and auto supplier Denso among the early movers.

July 30, 2026
India’s Adani reports loss on payment to US over alleged sanctions breach
Economy

India’s Adani reports loss on payment to US over alleged sanctions breach

Company's flagship airport in Mumbai begins international operations Adani Enterprises' earnings for the April-June quarter were hit by a one-time charge to settle allegations by the U.S. that the company violated sanctions against Iran. © Reuters MUMBAI -- India's Adani Enterprises reported a loss for the second consecutive quarter on Wednesday, as a one-time cost from the settlement of a U.S. sanctions probe in May ate into the rising earnings from its airports and copper smelting units.

July 30, 2026