Economy — 1,970 insights
Sony and TSMC partner on next-generation AI image sensors
Economy

Sony and TSMC partner on next-generation AI image sensors

Japanese group targets robotics, automotive sectors as it forecasts double-digit profit growth Sony is the global leader in manufacturing image sensors used in smartphones, as well as in automotive and industrial applications. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu) TOKYO -- Sony Group on Friday said it planned to deepen its partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., aiming to develop next-generation image sensors for artificial intelligence applications that would allow it to expand into fast-growing sectors such as robotics and automotive.

May 8, 2026
India power companies strained as big users source own electricity
Economy

India power companies strained as big users source own electricity

Data centers seek distribution licenses, leaving middlemen heavily indebted Engineers work on an electricity pylon on the outskirts of the western Indian city of Ahmedabad. © Reuters BENGALURU -- India's state-owned power distribution companies (discoms) face a growing, two-pronged threat to their revenues, with industrial customers going off grid for relatively cheaper power, and data centers and factories buying from private power companies.

May 8, 2026
Toyota forecasts decrease in net profit for FY26 amid Middle East tensions
Economy

Toyota forecasts decrease in net profit for FY26 amid Middle East tensions

Automaker aims to maintain strong sales in North America despite Trump tariffs Toyota marked record-high global sales for the fiscal year ended March 2026 even with U.S. tariffs on imported cars. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) TOKYO -- Toyota Motor said on Friday that it expects net profit for the year ending March 2027 to fall by 22% from the previous year to 3 trillion yen ($19.1 billion), reflecting soaring material costs, including those driven by the deteriorating situation in the Middle East.

May 8, 2026
Nintendo to hike price of Switch 2 console due to memory chip prices
Economy

Nintendo to hike price of Switch 2 console due to memory chip prices

Market pressure to improve profitability prompts the company's decision The price hikes will take effect in Japan on May 25, and in North America and Europe on Sept. 1. (Photo by Yo Inoue) TOKYO -- Nintendo announced Friday that it will raise prices for the Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan, North America and Europe, citing deteriorating profits due to soaring prices for semiconductor memory and the company's lackluster stock performance.

May 8, 2026
Honda slips into first operating loss as it reevaluates EV strategy
Economy

Honda slips into first operating loss as it reevaluates EV strategy

Red ink is among the largest recorded by Japanese automakers Honda Motor has been forced to revise its electric vehicle strategy, including canceling three EV model launches planned for North America. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumida) TOKYO -- Honda Motor recorded an operating loss of approximately 400 billion yen ($2.55 billion) for the fiscal year that ended in March, Nikkei has learned, heavily impacted by problems related to its electric vehicle business.

May 8, 2026
Asian firms hopeful on US investment again, but cautious after 2025 tariffs
Economy

Asian firms hopeful on US investment again, but cautious after 2025 tariffs

Indian pharma, tech and energy firms tout $20.5bn in commitments at summit Investment commitments worth billions of dollars were announced by Asian companies at this year's annual SelectUSA Investment Summit, held May 2-5 in Maryland. (Photo by Pak Yiu) NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland -- Asian companies returned to the premier U.S.-hosted foreign investment event this week with cautious optimism, after President Donald Trump's volatile trade policy paralyzed any decision-making a year ago.

May 8, 2026
Two men found guilty of spying for Hong Kong by London jury
Economy

Two men found guilty of spying for Hong Kong by London jury

Yuen Chung Biu, Wai Chi Leung face lengthy sentences; SAR government rejects charges Yuen Chung Biu, left, and Wai Chi Leung face lengthy sentences after a jury found them guilty of spying for the Hong Kong government in the U.K. © Reuters LONDON -- A jury in London on Thursday found two men guilty of spying for the Hong Kong government in the U.K., and one of them guilty also of abusing his access to government databases to obtain information about dissidents living in the country.

May 8, 2026
Japan plans start of round-the-clock JGB trading on blockchain
Economy

Japan plans start of round-the-clock JGB trading on blockchain

Big banks, securities companies look to tokenize bond trading this year Japan expects increased capital efficiency from a system for trading tokenized securities. (Nikkei illustration) TOKYO -- Japan plans to introduce a system for round-the-clock trading of government bonds on the blockchain as early as 2026, aiming to lower costs and speed up transactions.

May 8, 2026
South Korea, Japan hold upgraded 2+2 talks as US focuses on Iran
Economy

South Korea, Japan hold upgraded 2+2 talks as US focuses on Iran

Neighbors seek closer trilateral cooperation to keep Washington engaged in East Asia Vice foreign and defense ministers from Japan and South Korea held their first two-plus-two meeting in Seoul on May 7. © Kyodo TOKYO/SEOUL -- Japan and South Korea held a two-plus-two meeting with vice foreign and defense ministers for the first time in Seoul on Thursday, discussing security cooperation with each other and the U.S. amid worries about the Middle East conflict leaving a power vacuum in East Asia.

May 8, 2026
Japan extends streak of record stock buybacks, led by these blue chips
Economy

Japan extends streak of record stock buybacks, led by these blue chips

Recruit, Toyota repurchase shares in push for capital efficiency Share buyback programs are becoming bigger as corporate Japan embraces capital efficiency. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) TOKYO -- Share buybacks by Japan-listed companies set another record in the year ended March, marking the fifth straight year of gains, as the Tokyo Stock Exchange prepares to issue a new call for improving capital efficiency.

May 8, 2026
SoftBank in talks with Nvidia to build made-in-Japan AI servers
Economy

SoftBank in talks with Nvidia to build made-in-Japan AI servers

Foxconn also in discussion as Japan mobile provider seeks to tap demand for sovereign AI SoftBank will enter the business of high-performance servers, capable of operating cutting-edge graphics processing units at high speeds. (SoftBank) TOKYO -- Japan's SoftBank Corp. looks to develop and produce homegrown artificial intelligence servers, weighing plans to start designing and assembling components by the end of the decade with the help of major players like Nvidia and Foxconn, Nikkei has learned.

May 8, 2026
Japan Inc. racks up $130bn in paper property gains, drawing investor pressure
Economy

Japan Inc. racks up $130bn in paper property gains, drawing investor pressure

Activist shareholders pressure companies to sell real estate for better asset efficiency Unrealized gains in corporate rental properties in Japan rose 25% in five years. (Photo by Rie Ishii) TOKYO -- The real estate owned by listed Japanese companies has amassed paper gains totaling an estimated 20 trillion yen ($128 billion), prompting activist investors to pressure the businesses to sell off the assets for better capital efficiency.

May 8, 2026