eChina.news

Economy

SWIFT’s blockchain ledger enters tests with Citi, MUFG for 24-hour cross-border payments

International network's platform seeks faster transfers and smaller fees SWIFT's digital ledger will enable real-time transfers even when bank branches are closed. (Nikkei montage) TOKYO -- The SWIFT financial messaging network has begun trials of a blockchain digital ledger for always-on, cross-border transfers between banks, aiming to speed up transactions and lower fees, which could help popularize tokenization.

September 15, 2026

Economy

FamilyMart hopes to quickly tap into trends with AI-developed sweets

Japan convenience store operator sees technology cutting some work by 20% Sweets rely more heavily on novelty and buzz than other convenience store staples like rice balls and bento meals. (Photo by Nanami Sato) TOKYO -- Japanese convenience store chain FamilyMart will launch a dessert conceived by artificial intelligence later this month, part of an effort to use generative AI to develop new products and capture consumer trends.

September 15, 2026

Economy

Japan’s LNG demand stymies response after Putin’s disputed-island visit

Tokyo reluctant to take hard-line approach to Moscow amid Iran war Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, right, objected to Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to a disputed island but has not responded further. (Nikkei montage/source photos by Reuters) TOKYO -- In the month since Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to a disputed northwestern Pacific island, Japan has not taken any concrete countermeasures, underscoring its complicated relationship with an important energy supplier.

September 15, 2026

Economy

Sakana AI, Turing among Japan startup winners as investors turn choosy

Big Japan startup fundraising deals hit record in January-June half Autonomous driving startup Turing is one of the biggest winners of the startup funding race in Japan. (Turing) TOKYO -- Investors in Japanese startups have become selective, showering money on a relatively small number of tech names with track records.

September 15, 2026

Economy

Malaysia’s Solarvest goes beyond panels to batteries and power trading

Davis Chong, Solarvest's co-founder and CEO, has set ambitious growth targets for Malaysia's largest listed clean energy company as it seeks to ride demand from data centers for green power. (Photo by Norman Goh) Country's largest listed clean energy group targets $1.2bn annual order book on data centers demand KUALA LUMPUR -- When Davis Chong joined two childhood friends to create solar installer Solarvest in 2012 in Penang, he brought experience from tech companies including Intel, Avago Technologies and Dell, but nothing from the power sector.

September 15, 2026

Economy

Toyota sees Europe commercial vehicles as way out of hydrogen cost quagmire

Automaker to focus on trucks as adoption of passenger fuel cell vehicles lags Toyota showed off a prototype hydrogen fuel cell Hilux pickup truck at IAA Transportation 2026. (Photo by Ryo Asayama) HANOVER, Germany -- Japan's Toyota Motor is showing off its updated hydrogen fuel cell vehicle strategy at a trade show in Germany this week, putting a new focus on commercial vehicles as the industry grapples with a vexing negative feedback loop of high hydrogen prices, low uptake and limited refueling infrastructure.

September 15, 2026

Economy

Japanese DOGE’s cost-cutting push finds meager $110m in savings

Finance Ministry now tasked with finding more programs for elimination Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama (third from left) speaks at a meeting of cabinet ministers on the review of special tax measures and subsidies. (Photo by Ken Suzuki) TOKYO -- Japanese government ministries and agencies appear less than eager to cut spending, with Tokyo's version of the U.S. DOGE budget efficiency initiative resulting in proposed budget cuts of just 17 billion yen ($110 million) so far.

September 15, 2026

Economy

Australia’s One Nation party seeks to slash immigrant population by 750,000

Right-wing political party wants to cut student and work visas to reach goal Pauline Hanson, a senator in Australia's parliament, is the leader of the One Nation party. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) SYDNEY -- The Australian far-right political party One Nation proposed on Monday to slash the number of temporary migrants by 750,000 over three years.

September 15, 2026

Economy

China growth outlook dims as real estate, retail pressure worsens

Exports remain key growth pillar amid caution over new stimulus measures A view of unfinished residential buildings in China's Hebei province. The country's property sector downturn remains a drag to growth. © Reuters HONG KONG -- Slower consumption and a sharper fall in property investment in August pushed the Chinese economy deeper into a quagmire, underscoring pressure on policymakers to deliver more stimulus.

September 15, 2026

Economy

Pakistan’s $3bn bond sale signals shift away from G2G borrowing

Dependency on bilateral loans is waning, but experts say reliance on Chinese money remains Experts warn that the shift from government-to-government (G2G) borrowing to commercial financing will raise Pakistan's debt-servicing costs. © AP ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan raised a record $3 billion from global investors in its largest-ever international bond sale, underscoring the country's gradual shift away from intergovernmental loans and helping Islamabad gain freer fundraising capacity regardless of its diplomatic circumstances.

September 14, 2026

Economy

Okinawa political shift clears way for Japan defense buildup near Taiwan

First conservative governor in 12 years backs military upgrades, air base relocation Genta Koja, center, celebrates with supporters after securing victory in the Okinawa gubernatorial election in Naha, Okinawa prefecture, on Sept. 13. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita) TOKYO -- The election of Okinawa's first conservative governor in 12 years could clear the way for a sweeping military buildup in Japan's southernmost prefecture, with consequences stretching across the Taiwan Strait.

September 14, 2026

Economy

TDK to ramp up production of electronic components for AI servers

Japan's TDK expects to invest around $260 million in two factories over the next three years to increase output capacity of tiny electronic components known as thin-film inductors, left. (Source photos by TDK and Mayumi Tsumita) TOKYO -- Japan's TDK plans to ramp up production of electronic components for artificial intelligence servers, as it looks to tap booming demand from the AI industry.

September 14, 2026