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Economy

Indonesia’s IPO market stalls as quality reforms deter potential issuers

Indonesia has become one of the weakest IPO market among Southeast Asia's major economies despite a regional rebound. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and Yuki Kohara) Pause comes as policy uncertainty rattles investors in ASEAN's biggest economy JAKARTA -- A market overhaul in Indonesia aimed at restoring investor confidence is slowing the country's initial public offerings, with tougher listing standards and persistent policy uncertainty prompting companies to delay share sales despite a number of large potential deals.

August 3, 2026

Economy

AI funding spree shows signs of strain: higher borrowing costs, SpaceX sell-off

Investor risk awareness grows around massive bond, share offerings SpaceX's market capitalization ballooned to $3 trillion after its initial public offering, but its shares have since slumped. © Reuters NEW YORK -- As big U.S. tech companies scramble for billions of dollars to fund their race for AI dominance, the bullish investors that had fed this appetite are beginning to seem less confident about the outlook.

August 3, 2026

Economy

Japan won’t hesitate to act again after joint yen intervention with US: Katayama

Tokyo wanted 'little bit of help' on yen from US, Trump says after intervention Japan's Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks to the media about the U.S.-Japan joint forex action upon her arrival at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 3. © Reuters TOKYO -- Japan and the U.S. conducted a coordinated intervention to support the yen on Friday, Japan's Finance Ministry officially confirmed Monday morning, marking the first time since 2011 that the two countries stepped in together to move the currency market.

August 3, 2026

Economy

Japanese startups rush into defense drones

Eams Robotics aims to work with Anduril, Terra Drone brings battery production to Japan The P1-SUN Long Interceptor Drone, developed by Ukrainian defense technology company SkyFall, is just one example of the growing importance of drones on the battlefield. © Getty Images TOKYO -- Japanese startups are entering defense drone production as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks to reduce dependence on China and expand domestic manufacturing.

August 3, 2026

Economy

Starting gun for Central Asia data center race triggered

Saudi-backed Uzbek project to open year-end; Nvidia-supported Kazakh campus takes shape Saudi Arabia-backed TAS-1 is being built in Tashkent by DataVolt and its first phase will be completed by year-end. (DataVolt) TASHKENT/ISTANBUL -- The race to build data centers in Central Asia is intensifying, with Uzbekistan set to complete the first phase of a facility by year-end and Kazakhstan's Nvidia-backed project expected to offer 125 megawatts by 2027.

August 3, 2026

Economy

Yen climbs to 155 per dollar as traders on alert for further intervention

Rally follows US-Japan coordination; finance minister suggests more action possible On July 31, Japan purchased the yen "in coordination with the U.S. Department of the Treasury," Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said in a statement on Aug. 3. (Photo by Shintaro Ino) TOKYO -- The yen strengthened sharply to the lower 155 range against the dollar on Monday morning, as markets remain wary of further currency interventions by Japan and the U.S.

August 3, 2026

Economy

Taiwan security chief says China’s ‘hybrid warfare’ tests whole region

Joseph Wu welcomes Tokyo-Manila cooperation as Beijing expands maritime pressure Joseph Wu, secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council, gazes out the window of the Presidential Palace in Taipei during an exclusive interview with Nikkei Asia. (Taiwan National Security Council) TAIPEI -- China's mass deployment of its coast guard and other vessels to enforce its territorial claims and rebrand maritime aggression as routine police work presents a fresh challenge, and not only for Taiwan, the head of Taipei's National Security Council (NSC) said in a rare exclusive interview.

August 3, 2026

Economy

Nara Park deer population sets record thanks to tourist generosity

Unapproved food brought in by inbound travelers raises concerns Foreign tourists buy crackers from a vendor to feed to the cute wild animals that live in Japan's Nara Park. (Photos by Hiroshi Furuta) NARA, Japan -- The number of deer in Nara Park has rebounded to a record high as foreign tourists have returned to the popular spot in Western Japan.

August 2, 2026

Economy

Where will the 2020s stand in history? Freedom and democracy put to the test

The decade so far has been a turning point marked by vast changes The COVID-19 pandemic was a fittingly paradigm-shattering start to the 2020s. (Photo by Nikkei) TOKYO -- As the 2020s have already passed their halfway point, I'd like to consider what future historians will say about this decade while presenting my own list of its top 10 news stories -- so far.

August 2, 2026

Economy

Pakistan applies for $10bn US forex facility, leverages Iran mediation

But experts warn funding paves way for Washington's scrutiny over China debt Pakistan requested the $10 billion currency backstop after it helped mediate between the U.S. and Iran, led by the country's military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters) ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan recently applied for a U.S. foreign currency backstop facility worth up to $10 billion to strengthen the country's ability to withstand any foreign reserve-related shock, Nikkei Asia has learned.

August 2, 2026

Economy

Anutin’s Indonesia visit, Japanese carmaker earnings, Taiwan drills

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to make a two-day official visit to Indonesia starting Aug. 3. © Getty Images Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul heads to Indonesia for an official visit, during which the two countries will announce the Roadmap on Strategic Partnership 2026-2030, having agreed to upgrade ties last year. That plan focuses on three areas: security, the economy and culture. Japanese automakers release their earnings amid the disruptions from the U.S.-Iran war and growing competition from Chinese companies. Electric vehicles, a segment that Japanese carmakers have been slow to embrace but which their Chinese counterparts dominate, have enjoyed a large sales boost since the start of the Middle East conflict, according to the International Energy Agency, on the back of fuel price increases and supply disruptions. Get the best of our coverage of Asia and much more by following us on X, where our handle is @NikkeiAsia. We are also on Bluesky with the handle @asia.nikkei.com. Thai Prime Minister Anutin is scheduled to have a two-day visit to Indonesia.

August 2, 2026

Economy

Japan, US carried out joint forex intervention Friday for 1st time since 2011

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, left, and Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama. (Source photos by Reuters, Nikkei) TOKYO -- Japan and the U.S. conducted a coordinated intervention to support the yen on Friday, government sources said Sunday, the first time since 2011 that the two countries stepped in together to move the currency market.

August 2, 2026