Economy — 2,051 insights
Japan to broaden subsidies for domestic legacy chip production
Economy

Japan to broaden subsidies for domestic legacy chip production

Government to scrap investment minimum, opening door to smaller firms Japan is looking to bolster domestic production of such non-cutting-edge semiconductors as analog devices and microcontrollers. (Photo by Ryosuke Eguchi) TOKYO -- Japan will expand subsidies for domestic production of legacy semiconductor devices by eliminating a 30 billion yen ($190 million) investment requirement, aiming to ensure stable supplies of products critical to a wide range of industries.

May 14, 2026
Japanese-style tiny apartments coming to Australia’s co-living market
Economy

Japanese-style tiny apartments coming to Australia’s co-living market

Real estate firm plans 300 units geared to singles in Sydney, other cities Shinoken looks to operate low-rise buildings with 20 to 100 studio units, catering to single professionals. (Shinoken Group) FUKUOKA, Japan -- A Japanese real estate company plans to offer smaller, affordable rental apartments in Sydney and other cities in Australia, where rents are soaring.

May 14, 2026
Why Japanese potato chip bags are turning black and white
Economy

Why Japanese potato chip bags are turning black and white

Snack maker Calbee's move to monochrome could herald wider industry change Calbee plans to cut ink usage by changing its packaging designs to black and white. (Photo by Hazumu Urushiyama) TOKYO -- One of Japan's most recognizable snacks -- Calbee potato chips -- will be sold in black-and-white bags instead of the brightly colored ones customers recognize.

May 14, 2026
‘Undervalued’ Japan companies gird for wave of foreign acquisitions
Economy

‘Undervalued’ Japan companies gird for wave of foreign acquisitions

Prolonged yen weakness prompts businesses to revisit takeover defenses Large Japanese companies continue to tap growth potential overseas, but foreign businesses also have their eye on firms in Japan. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) TOKYO -- The yen's prolonged weakness is pushing Japanese companies to review measures to protect against the risk of foreign takeovers.

May 14, 2026
With 1.4bn people, India puts technological fluency at heart of education
Economy

With 1.4bn people, India puts technological fluency at heart of education

Future of human intelligence: National strategy aimed at children, starting at age 3 India's government hopes that language skills and keen IT knowledge will help children from the country become future leaders in the world of artificial intelligence. (Photo by Koji Uema) Generative artificial intelligence has begun to take over human thinking in many ways, presenting challenges to how the intellect is cultivated and used. Despite the collective wisdom of people, divisions and conflict continue around the world, raising the question: What skills and capabilities are needed for human beings to navigate the future? In a series of articles, Nikkei explores how the world is reconstructing the value of intellect. This is part three.

May 14, 2026
Trump and Xi start high-stakes Beijing summit to steady tense ties
Economy

Trump and Xi start high-stakes Beijing summit to steady tense ties

Iran and Taiwan issues loom as superpowers aim for economic deals U.S. President Donald Trump inspects an honor guard during a welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14. © Reuters SHANGHAI -- U.S. President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, kicking off a high-stakes summit expected to stabilize relations but also spotlight the divisions between the two superpowers.

May 14, 2026
Cambodia business risks increase on cyberscam sanctions
Economy

Cambodia business risks increase on cyberscam sanctions

US and UK expand measures across sectors, adding compliance pressure on investors An alleged scam compound in Cambodia's Takeo province utilizes a prison-like layout with guards to confine people, Amnesty International said in a report released on June 26, 2025. (Amnesty International) PHNOM PENH -- New rounds of U.S. sanctions targeting alleged cyberscam networks in Cambodia are increasingly spilling over into its legitimate economy, raising compliance risks for businesses and deepening concerns over the Southeast Asian country's global reputation, following similar action by the U.K. earlier this year.

May 14, 2026
Trump-Xi summit live: China turns on charm as presidents meet
Economy

Trump-Xi summit live: China turns on charm as presidents meet

Rubio says US will ask Beijing to play more 'active role' in resolving Iran conflict Children holding U.S. and Chinese flags or flowers line up ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's arrival for a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14. © Reuters SHANGHAI/TOKYO -- U.S. President Donald Trump is making his first visit to China in nearly nine years, as the rival superpowers aim to stabilize their fraught relationship. The American president arrived Wednesday evening and is scheduled to stay until Friday. An itinerary released by the White House includes plenty of face time with Chinese President Xi Jinping, from formal bilateral talks starting Thursday morning to a state banquet, tea and a working lunch. Their discussions are expected to touch on a host of hot topics, such as the Iran war, trade and export controls, tensions over Taiwan, and artificial intelligence. Trump is bringing an entourage of corporate executives including Tesla's Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook and NVIDIA's Jensen Huang. There are high expectations that the president will help seal commercial deals for aircraft and U.S. farm goods.

May 14, 2026
Nepal protests India’s plan to reopen Himalayan pass to Tibet
Economy

Nepal protests India’s plan to reopen Himalayan pass to Tibet

Beijing seen to 'go along with India's position' on disputed Kalapani region People walk on Mount Kailash in Tibet, China, May 2017. (Photo by Christoph Mohr/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images) KATHMANDU -- Nepal has protested against India's decision to reopen a Himalayan pass leading to a revered Hindu pilgrimage site in Tibet, reviving a territorial dispute between the two neighbors.

May 13, 2026
Qualcomm broadens Vietnam R&D into chip design amid talent race
Economy

Qualcomm broadens Vietnam R&D into chip design amid talent race

US semiconductor company ramps up hiring as demand for engineers outpaces supply Qualcomm Chief Technology Officer Baaziz Achour speaks at the opening of the company’s R&D center in Hanoi on May 12. The chipmaker is expanding its Vietnam operations beyond AI into chip design. (Photo by Mai Nguyen) HANOI -- Qualcomm is expanding its research and development efforts in Vietnam beyond artificial intelligence into chip design, as the U.S. semiconductor company races to build a broader engineering hub amid intensifying competition over global talent.

May 13, 2026
Nidec confirms ‘suspected improper conduct’ over quality irregularities
Economy

Nidec confirms ‘suspected improper conduct’ over quality irregularities

Company establishes third-party investigation committee as its stock price falls to daily limit Nidec's stock price fell by the daily limit on Wednesday after it confirmed "suspected improper conduct" related to quality tampering. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura) TOKYO -- Japan's Nidec announced on Wednesday that the company has identified "suspected improper conduct" related to quality tampering, saying it has established an investigation committee composed of external experts.

May 13, 2026
Uzbek IPO oversubscribed, as investors jump at privatization play
Economy

Uzbek IPO oversubscribed, as investors jump at privatization play

Tashkent-London listing paves way for assets, like Uzbekistan Airways, to launch Uzbekistan Airways is one of the assets held by UzNIF, which is due to list in Tashkent and London on May 18. © AP ISTANBUL -- Uzbekistan's plan to privatize state assets took a large step forward Wednesday after the initial public offering of its investment fund was four times oversubscribed.

May 13, 2026