Economy — 1,970 insights
Japanese stocks plunge as AI deleverage sends Kioxia down 16%
Economy

Japanese stocks plunge as AI deleverage sends Kioxia down 16%

Nikkei average briefly dives 4,100 points as memory maker and chip stocks tumble Across Asian markets, equity benchmarks declined on Friday, led by a sharp selloff in AI proxy stocks. (Photo by Kazuho Fujiwara) TOKYO -- Japanese stocks fell sharply on Friday, led by memory maker Kioxia Holdings, which declined 16%, as investors unwind their previously accumulated leverage against tech stocks and concerns set in over the longevity of the AI-led rally.

July 17, 2026
Japan’s Olympus envisions robot-assisted future for endoscopy
Economy

Japan’s Olympus envisions robot-assisted future for endoscopy

Device makers sees robots and AI taking on a bigger share of physician workloads Olympus expects endoscopy to shift from a bedside procedure to one performed from a robotic console. (Image courtesy of Olympus) © Olympus TOKYO -- Endoscopic surgery remains a highly manual procedure, but Japan's Olympus is looking to change that.

July 17, 2026
India launches first hydrogen train amid rail modernization drive
Economy

India launches first hydrogen train amid rail modernization drive

Domestically made vehicle aids climate and energy security goals Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off Namo Green Rail, India's first hydrogen-powered train, in Jind in the Indian state of Haryana on July 17. © Reuters NEW DELHI -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train, marking a major milestone in the South Asian nation's push for cleaner rail mobility and stronger energy security.

July 17, 2026
No longer an island: Japan’s drug pricing has global consequences
Economy

No longer an island: Japan’s drug pricing has global consequences

Unpredictable reimbursement cuts drive away research, investment and new medicines A drug store in Tokyo. Eli Lilly's CEO says Japan's current pricing system penalizes innovative medicines for their effectiveness, leaves patients with a limited range of treatments, and makes the country a less attractive destination for global investment. © AP David A. Ricks is chair and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company.

July 17, 2026
Xi dabbles in ‘AI diplomacy’ at Shanghai forum with Thai, Cambodian PMs
Economy

Xi dabbles in ‘AI diplomacy’ at Shanghai forum with Thai, Cambodian PMs

Domestic advances span AI smartphones, chips and supercomputing systems From left: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Thail Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pose for a group photo before the opening ceremony for the World AI Conference in Shanghai on July 17. © Reuters TOKYO -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for greater cooperation on artificial intelligence among developing countries to close the international technology gap, as Beijing used a major domestic tech event to project its ambitions to a global audience.

July 17, 2026
Bangkok bar blaze: Why deadly fires keep recurring despite safety rules
Economy

Bangkok bar blaze: Why deadly fires keep recurring despite safety rules

Latest tragedy brings fresh scrutiny to enforcement in Thailand's nightlife sector Police on July 13 carry out an investigation at a Bangkok bar where a deadly fire occurred. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) TOKYO -- A Bangkok bar fire that killed at least 32 people has revived a familiar question in Thailand: Why do deadly conflagrations keep happening despite the existence of safety rules?

July 17, 2026
Fewer Asian companies list in US, but IPO proceeds outpace last year
Economy

Fewer Asian companies list in US, but IPO proceeds outpace last year

Chinese listings dry up after Nasdaq tightens listing standards Initial public offerings by Chinese and Hong Kong firms have ground to a halt after a two-year boom in the first six months of this year. (Photo by Hiroki Endo) NEW YORK -- Asian companies are raising more money from U.S. initial public offerings this year despite a sharp drop listings that followed tighter regulations aimed at curbing "pump and dump" schemes.

July 17, 2026
China’s Moonshot AI gains on Anthropic, OpenAI with new low-cost model
Economy

China’s Moonshot AI gains on Anthropic, OpenAI with new low-cost model

Kimi K3 beats latest offerings by US rivals on some benchmarks Moonshot AI's booth is seen at the World AI Conference in Shanghai on July 17. (Photo by Itsuro Fujino) GUANGZHOU -- Chinese artificial intelligence startup Moonshot AI said Friday it developed an AI model whose performance approaches that of the most advanced frontier models from the U.S., while saving on cost.

July 17, 2026
Nvidia cashes in on sovereign AI, setting sights on Japan for latest tie-up
Economy

Nvidia cashes in on sovereign AI, setting sights on Japan for latest tie-up

Visiting CEO Jensen Huang seen meeting head of state-backed AI developer Noetra Nvidia has partnered with developers aiming to create sovereign AI systems in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and Nikkei) PALO ALTO, California -- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's visit to Japan is expected to include an event to promote semiconductor supplies and other support for a government-backed artificial intelligence developer formed by SoftBank and other players.

July 17, 2026
SoftBank, Sony, Honda spearhead work on Japan AI with Nvidia chips
Economy

SoftBank, Sony, Honda spearhead work on Japan AI with Nvidia chips

Tokyo will purchase 27,500 Rubin chips to support development of 'physical AI' Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, third from right, and Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa, center, at the July 16 announcement of a Japanese AI consortium. (Photo by Shintaro Ino) TOKYO -- Some 44 Japanese companies began a project Thursday to produce a sovereign artificial intelligence foundation model using their own data, joining forces to protect the competitiveness of the country's manufacturing industry as the U.S. and China expand their lead in frontier AI.

July 17, 2026
Japan’s Isuzu tests swappable batteries in electric garbage trucks
Economy

Japan’s Isuzu tests swappable batteries in electric garbage trucks

Commercial EVs return to the road in minutes in Yokohama pilot The electric garbage trucks in Isuzu's trial program have batteries that can be swapped quickly. (Photo by Seiya Ota) TOKYO -- Japan's Isuzu Motors is exploring the use of swappable batteries in commercial electric vehicles, aiming to reduce downtime in heavily used trucks and other vehicles and boost efficiency.

July 17, 2026
Japan nuclear fuel reprocessing plant at risk of 28th delay
Economy

Japan nuclear fuel reprocessing plant at risk of 28th delay

Liquid waste processing prior to startup could push completion beyond fiscal 2026 Work on Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd.'s spent-fuel reprocessing plant in Rokkasho has dragged on for more than three decades. (Photo by Masatoshi Ida) TOKYO -- Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. (JNFL) may be forced to postpone completion of its reprocessing facility for spent nuclear fuel yet again as regulators push it to add another process to dispose of existing waste.

July 17, 2026