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Economy

Japan scraps cap on growth spending requests for fiscal 2027 budget

Government looks to encourage investment in fields like AI, but fiscal concerns remain Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama discussed the budget request guidelines in a July 30 news conference. (Photo by Jo Ishibuchi) TOKYO -- Japan approved budget request guidelines for fiscal 2027 on Thursday that remove limits for growth and crisis management investment, a move intended to encourage bold spending that may add to market concerns about government debt.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Thai rice, Indian sugarcane show signs of early El Nino impact

Worries mount of global food shock from predicted record-breaking climate event Villagers collect free clean water distributed by the regional disaster agency in July in a drought-hit area of Indonesia. © Reuters TOKYO -- As markets brace for an El Nino phenomenon that some predict could be the strongest on record, countries near the equator already see an impact on their crops, raising concerns about a potential food shock.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Japan parts maker ships rare-earth-free sunroof motors for German cars

Mitsuba cuts out neodymium amid industry shift to avoid price swings, supply risks The new motor no longer needs the neodymium contained in earlier versions. (Mitsuba) TOKYO -- Japanese automotive parts maker Mitsuba has begun shipping sunroof motors that contain no rare-earth elements to German luxury automakers, the company said Thursday.

July 31, 2026

Economy

US urges China to ‘fully meet’ rare-earths pledge in virtual meeting, Bessent says

Beijing cites 'serious concerns' about American trade curbs following robot ban Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, left, spoke with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on July 30. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters) BEIJING/WASHINGTON -- Top Chinese and U.S. economic officials held talks Thursday aimed at stabilizing relations between the two powers, with rare earths and Washington's export controls emerging as key topics.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Japan needs quota debate to raise women’s representation in politics

Having a female prime minister alone has little impact; electoral reform is needed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, front row, center, and members of her new cabinet pose for a photo at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Feb. 18. © Reuters Mari Miura is a professor of political science at Sophia University in Tokyo.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Japan looks to turn Osaka and Kobe into biotech hubs

National growth strategy seeks to revitalize economy at the regional level A miniature human liver created with 3D printing technology, which allows researchers to check the effect of drugs outside of the body. (Photo by Shintaro Ino) TOKYO -- The Japanese government plans to transform western Japan into a hub receiving investments in biotechnology and advanced medicine, it was learned Thursday.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Vietnam’s 10% growth drive runs into economic realities

A tourist walks past a souvenir shop in Hanoi on May 5. President To Lam has called for measures to encourage foreign visitors in Vietnam to spend more, while persuading Vietnamese to holiday domestically. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) Economists warn rapid expansion could fuel inflation and expose structural weaknesses HANOI -- Earlier this month, Vietnam announced that its gross domestic product grew a mighty 8.2% in the first half of 2026, accelerating from 7.5% in the same period a year earlier.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Samsung trading unit and Erex plan Japan biomass power plant for AI demand

Companies eye stable renewable energy supply for data centers by fiscal 2029 The plant will be operated by a special purpose company with biomass fuels sourced largely from Southeast Asia. (Erex) TOKYO -- Major Japanese electricity provider Erex and Samsung group will build a biomass power plant in Japan that aims to bring stable power to a renewable energy grid to meet growing data center demand.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Japan chip industry gets back to work after Kumamoto quake

Tokyo Electron and Renesas resume some operations but Sony and TSMC need more time Renesas Electronics and Tokyo Electron are recovering from the July 28 Kumamoto earthquake. (Source photos by Shotaro Mori) KUMAMOTO, Japan/TOKYO -- Japanese chip industry facilities affected by the earthquake that rocked the Kumamoto area on Tuesday are already beginning to restart one by one, as quake-resistant construction and other lessons learned from past disasters prove useful.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Apple reports record June quarter revenue led by China sales growth

Beijing approves launch of certain Apple Intelligence functions, CEO Cook says Sales of the iPhone, Apple's main revenue driver, climbed 21.7% in the June quarter. © Reuters PALO ALTO, California -- Apple reported a June quarter revenue record on Thursday, thanks to continued strong sales in China.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Japan carries out yen-buying intervention as US executes rate check

Actions help push Japanese currency into 157 range against dollar at one point The U.S. and Japan appear to have worked together to stem the yen's slide against the dollar. (Photo by Akira Kodaka) LONDON/NEW YORK -- The Japanese government intervened in foreign-exchange markets to buy yen and sell dollars on Thursday, while U.S. authorities executed a rate check, a move often seen as a precursor to intervention, according to market participants.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Taliban marks fifth year in power in Afghanistan: 5 things to know

While security has improved, women's rights are curtailed; economy remains hobbled Afghanistan's Taliban Trade Minister Nooruddin Azizi addresses a delegation during a meeting in New Delhi in November 2025. © Reuters NEW DELHI -- When Taliban fighters entered Kabul on Aug. 15, 2021, bringing an abrupt end to two decades of U.S.-backed rule, many feared Afghanistan was headed for economic collapse, diplomatic isolation and renewed conflict.

July 31, 2026