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Indonesia quake aftermath exposes fault lines in Prabowo’s economic plans
Economy

Indonesia quake aftermath exposes fault lines in Prabowo’s economic plans

A man walks past an school damaged by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Satar Punda village, East Nusa Tenggara province, on Aug. 18, Displaced residents still need food, clean water, temporary shelter, but the village has limited resources to fund recovery. © AP Villages struggle to foot recovery bill after funds redirected to president's flagship programs SATAR PUNDA, Indonesia -- Once the shaking stopped after last month's giant earthquake off East Nusa Tenggara province, chief village elder Fransisko Edwin Budiman knew he had two major problems on his hands.

September 18, 2026
Panasonic Energy gets in on AI demand boom
Economy

Panasonic Energy gets in on AI demand boom

Japanese supplier envisions $5.5bn in fiscal year sales of batteries for data centers Panasonic's cylindrical lithium-ion batteries are finding a new role as backup power units for data centers. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Yuya Kakegawa and Panasonic) TOKYO -- Panasonic Energy may be best known for supplying batteries for Tesla's electric vehicles, but the Japanese supplier says sales to data centers are now driving its growth.

September 18, 2026
Thailand must invest in front-end chip production, industry body says
Economy

Thailand must invest in front-end chip production, industry body says

Country urged to offer more incentives to welcome foreign firms Wirat Sri-amonkitkul, head of the Thai Semiconductor Industry Trade Association, speaks during an interview on Sept. 8. BANGKOK -- Thailand should invest in the front end of semiconductor manufacturing to build a comprehensive supply chain, says the head of a local industry group as the country aims to catch up with regional peers in the high-value sector.

September 18, 2026
India and China pursue disaster diplomacy in flood-hit Nepal
Economy

India and China pursue disaster diplomacy in flood-hit Nepal

New Delhi plays 'operational partner' role; Beijing provides relief drones In the aftermath of disastrous flooding last month, Nepal has received relief supplies and technical assistance from China and India as its giant neighbors compete to polish their friendship credentials. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters) KATHMANDU -- Hours after devastating floods struck Nepal in late August, India sent 10 metric tons of emergency relief, including shelters, solar lamps and medicine. Four days later, China delivered five times as much: 50 tons of tents, sleeping bags, first-aid kits and more, opening the latest race in disaster diplomacy between Asia's largest nations.

September 17, 2026
Taiwan confirms new Philippines office in works, China says move ‘doomed’
Economy

Taiwan confirms new Philippines office in works, China says move ‘doomed’

Initiative pushes back against Beijing's pressure on Taipei's overseas missions Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has emphasized strengthening ties with the Philippines as more than diplomatic gestures. © Reuters TAIPEI -- Taiwan's top diplomat has confirmed Nikkei Asia's reporting on plans to open a second quasi-diplomatic mission in the Philippines, while China reacted with a sharp condemnation.

September 17, 2026
Singapore exports surge 46% in August, strongest in 38 years
Economy

Singapore exports surge 46% in August, strongest in 38 years

Singapore's electronics exports have been robust on global AI-related demand, jumping 131.8% in August from a year earlier. © Reuters SINGAPORE -- Singapore's exports surged 46.2% in August from a year earlier, marking their strongest growth in 38 years as global AI-related demand continued to provide a strong tailwind for the city-state's electronics sector.

September 17, 2026
Yen weakens to 156-level as Fed fulfills rate hike expectations
Economy

Yen weakens to 156-level as Fed fulfills rate hike expectations

Asian currencies dip against greenback; BOJ meeting in focus The U.S. Dollar Index, a gauge of the greenback's strength against major currencies, has risen over the 100 mark. © Reuters TOKYO -- Asian currencies broadly weakened against the dollar on Thursday with the Japanese yen slipping into the 156-range following a rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve, which struck a hawkish tone in its future policy outlook.

September 17, 2026
Vietnam bus maker Kim Long enters Thailand, eyes ASEAN exports
Economy

Vietnam bus maker Kim Long enters Thailand, eyes ASEAN exports

Rare overseas manufacturing push by Vietnamese vehicle maker Kim Long Motor's buses are parked at the company's Hue facility. The Vietnamese manufacturer plans to make Thailand its first overseas production base. (Screenshot from Kim Long Motor's Facebook page) HO CHI MINH CITY -- Kim Long Motor, a Vietnamese bus manufacturer, will make the vehicles in Thailand, deepening industrial ties between the countries as the company seeks to build an ASEAN production base beyond its home market.

September 17, 2026
Japan, US in talks to build chip factory as part of tariff deal
Economy

Japan, US in talks to build chip factory as part of tariff deal

Total value of project could reach $19bn; GlobalFoundries to operate new plant Japan and the U.S. are in talks to build a new chip manufacturing plant in the U.S. as part of Japan's agreement to invest in the country under its tariff deal with Washington. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) TOKYO -- Japan and the U.S. are in talks to build a semiconductor plant in the U.S. as one of Japan's $550 billion of investment projects under the tariff agreement between the two countries, officials of both governments familiar with the negotiations have told Nikkei.

September 17, 2026
Huawei debuts 11 AI-related chips in challenge to Nvidia, Intel, AMD
Economy

Huawei debuts 11 AI-related chips in challenge to Nvidia, Intel, AMD

Chinese tech titan says domestic demand for Ascend chips exceeds supplies Huawei is introducing more than 10 chipsets for artificial intelligence computing infrastructure as it moves to take on Nvidia's dominant position. (Screenshot from Huawei Connect 2026's livestream) TAIPEI/SHANGHAI -- Huawei on Thursday introduced more than 10 chipsets for artificial intelligence computing infrastructure, including the next generations of AI accelerators, CPUs and high-speed connectivity chips, as the Chinese tech giant races to challenge Nvidia's dominant position in the AI industry.

September 17, 2026
Applied Materials to invest $5bn in India as country ups chip support
Economy

Applied Materials to invest $5bn in India as country ups chip support

US semiconductor equipment maker to double R&D workforce in the country As part of a $5 billion investment in India, Applied Materials will set up a 57-hectare advanced semiconductor research park. © Reuters NEW DELHI -- U.S. semiconductor equipment maker Applied Materials said on Thursday that it will invest $5 billion in India over 10 years as it seeks to expand its footprint in the country at a time when the government is pouring billions into creating a chip manufacturing and packaging ecosystem.

September 17, 2026
Japan’s Takaichi emphasizes continuity in first cabinet reshuffle
Economy

Japan’s Takaichi emphasizes continuity in first cabinet reshuffle

PM says keeping key ministers stresses stable relationships with foreign counterparts Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, front center, with her new cabinet on Sept. 17 following her first reshuffle since entering office in October 2025. Takaichi said she had sought continuity in key areas such as diplomacy and trade, and been guided by a questionnaire sent to Liberal Democratic Party members. (Photo by Sae Kamae) TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made changes to her cabinet on Thursday, but chose to retain top ministers in their posts in a bid to preserve the administration's core leadership structure and emphasize continuity.

September 17, 2026