eChina.news

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Economy

Japan attracts young Indian researchers to collaborate on AI, chemistry

Tokyo looks to build international networks in science via Lotus Programme JST's Lotus Programme supports Indian researchers staying in Japan. (Japan Science and Technology Agency) TOKYO -- Young Indian researchers are flocking to Japan under a government program drawing an estimated 1,000 fellowship candidates for fiscal 2026 -- around 20 times more than two years earlier -- as both countries hope to share their expertise.

July 7, 2026

Economy

Southeast Asian tourism pivots on Iran war as travelers stay local

People walk past the “Bali” sign at the island's Denpasar International Airport on June 25. Foreign visitor numbers to Indonesia's premier tourist destination have held up this year but there are more Asians and fewer Europeans. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) Declining number of European and U.S. visitors balanced by more intra-regional vacations TOKYO -- As the northern hemisphere summer holiday season gathers pace, Farilla, a staff member at a high-end resort on Seminyak Beach in southwestern Bali, has noticed a shift in the guest mix. Visitor numbers from distant markets such as Europe are "visibly declining," she said, while those from Asian markets, including Malaysia, China and Singapore, are increasing.

July 7, 2026

Economy

130-year-old Japan firm flies under the radar to develop antidrone tech

Tokyo Keiki's precision equipment requires advanced technical expertise to assemble. (Tokyo Keiki) TOKYO -- A 130-year-old midsize navigation instrument company appears to hold the key to innovating in counterdrone technology.

July 7, 2026

Economy

Can FIFA make Lenovo an AI heavyweight?

Tech Latest: Tune in to Nikkei Asia's podcast for the freshest updates on the tech sector Welcome to the Tech Latest podcast. Every Tuesday, our tech experts Katey Creel and Shotaro Tani deliver the hottest trends and news from the sector. In this episode, Shotaro speaks with Hong Kong correspondent Cissy Zhou about Lenovo's efforts to use the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a global showcase for its AI capabilities. -- World Cup tests Lenovo's ambitions to challenge AI champions

July 7, 2026