Economy — 1,980 insights
Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank to invest in NZ infrastructure investor
Economy

Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank to invest in NZ infrastructure investor

Pair to focus on data centers, energy and other assets to meet AI-driven demand Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank will acquire a 15% stake in New Zealand-based infrastructure investor Morrison. (Photo by Shintaro Ino) TOKYO -- Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank will invest in New Zealand-based infrastructure investor Morrison and form a strategic partnership, the companies said on Tuesday, as investor demand increases for assets such as data centers and power facilities amid the global artificial intelligence boom.

July 7, 2026
Japan’s SBI Holdings takes stake in US crypto exchange EDX Markets
Economy

Japan’s SBI Holdings takes stake in US crypto exchange EDX Markets

Financial group looks to collaborate on yen-denominated stablecoin SBI Holdings debuted the yen-denominated stablecoin JPYSC in June. (Photo by Ryuta Minamihata) TOKYO -- Japanese financial group SBI Holdings has acquired a 20% stake in U.S. cryptocurrency exchange EDX Markets, aiming to expand the use of an SBI-issued stablecoin.

July 7, 2026
Japan should use nuclear power to break Mideast oil dependence: ex-PM Fukuda
Economy

Japan should use nuclear power to break Mideast oil dependence: ex-PM Fukuda

Former leader experienced first oil shock as member of Japan's nascent oil industry Fukuda was prime minister of Japan from 2007 to 2008. He retired from politics in 2012. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) TOKYO -- Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who served from 2007 to 2008, was working at an oil company during the first oil shock of 1973.

July 7, 2026
China missile test over Pacific alarms island nations
Economy

China missile test over Pacific alarms island nations

Leaders decry breach of nuclear-free zone norms as they weigh security partnerships A Chinese naval submarine near Hainan Island launches a missile carrying a dummy warhead toward the South Pacific on July 6. (Screenshot from PLA's WeChat page) SYDNEY -- Countries in the Pacific have condemned China for test-firing a nuclear-capable missile into the South Pacific's nuclear weapon-free zone on Monday, prompting calls to strengthen regional security.

July 7, 2026
Indonesia and India sign deals on supersonic, air-to-air missiles
Economy

Indonesia and India sign deals on supersonic, air-to-air missiles

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto shows the way to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a welcoming ceremony ahead of their meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on July 7. © Reuters JAKARTA/NEW DELHI -- Indonesia and India on Tuesday signed deals for New Delhi to supply Jakarta with supersonic cruise and air-to-air missiles, the latest step in the South Asian nation's campaign to bolster security ties with Southeast Asian governments.

July 7, 2026
China overtakes US in fintech patent filings to seize global lead
Economy

China overtakes US in fintech patent filings to seize global lead

ICBC, Tencent among companies leading 10-fold surge from previous decade Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Tencent were among the top five companies globally in fintech patent filings over the past decade. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Nikkei and Reuters) TOKYO -- Chinese banks and tech companies led the world in applications for financial technology patents over the last decade, surpassing the U.S. in a field that supports a wide range of financial services from lending and asset management to cryptocurrencies.

July 7, 2026
Nissan enters Shanghai Formula E race to push EVs in China
Economy

Nissan enters Shanghai Formula E race to push EVs in China

Rival Chinese carmakers also aim to bolster brand image via motorsports A Nissan vehicle, in the foreground, participates in the Shanghai Formula E competition on June 5. (Nissan Motor) SHANGHAI -- Nissan Motor competed in the Shanghai round of Formula E, the racing series known as the Formula One of electric vehicles, showcasing its performance and technological capabilities to Chinese consumers.

July 7, 2026
New MUFG president targets ROE on par with JPMorgan
Economy

New MUFG president targets ROE on par with JPMorgan

Hanzawa seeks to lift Japanese bank into top global 5, eyes growth in SE Asia Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group President Junichi Hanzawa recently spoke with Nikkei about the megabank's plans. (Photo by Hazumu Urushiyama) TOKYO -- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group aims to lift its return on equity into the mid-teens over the medium to long term, as well as become one of the world's five most valuable banks, President Junichi Hanzawa told Nikkei.

July 7, 2026
$3,500 Nissan: Japan’s subsidies make new EVs cheaper than used ones
Economy

$3,500 Nissan: Japan’s subsidies make new EVs cheaper than used ones

Generous government assistance spurs purchases but could distort market The Honda Super-One and the Nissan Sakura electric vehicles are eligible for generous subsidies. (Photos by Honda Motor and Nikkei) TOKYO -- Subsidies for electric vehicles provided by the central and Tokyo municipal governments have slashed the effective price of a new Nissan Motor EV to as little as 560,000 yen ($3,450), making it cheaper than buying a used version of the same model.

July 7, 2026
India can no longer take Nepal for granted
Economy

India can no longer take Nepal for granted

China and the US have turned Kathmandu into a competitive arena where influence must be earned Brahma Chellaney, a professor of strategic studies at the independent New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research and fellow at the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin, is the author of nine books, including "Water: Asia's New Battleground," which won the Bernard Schwartz Book Award.

July 7, 2026
Taiwan’s biopharma sector steps into spotlight with rush of IPOs
Economy

Taiwan’s biopharma sector steps into spotlight with rush of IPOs

Taipei fosters growth to support economy, security alongside semiconductors A lab where Taiwan Bio-Manufacturing Corp. conducts process analysis and development for biopharmaceutical products. (TBMC) TOKYO -- Taiwan's biopharmaceutical sector is growing, with seven companies going public in the first half of 2026, helped by the government's push to nurture the next strategic industries after semiconductors.

July 7, 2026
Japan weighs AI-powered disaster relief distribution
Economy

Japan weighs AI-powered disaster relief distribution

System would analyze road damage, retailer inventories to map distribution routes Self-Defense Forces personnel deliver relief supplies after an earthquake struck the Noto peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture. (Japan Ministry of Defense) TOKYO -- Japan is considering developing an artificial intelligence system to manage distribution of relief supplies after disasters, combining information from government agencies and businesses to get aid out more quickly and evenly.

July 7, 2026