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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

Economy

Report flags Hong Kong lawmakers’ ties to US-blacklisted Chinese companies

London-based CSRI raises questions over sanctions risks and city's finance center future Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee attends a question and answer session at the Legislative Council in January 2024. © Reuters TOKYO -- Hong Kong lawmakers are increasingly connected with Chinese companies that the U.S. alleges have military ties, according to new research by the China Strategic Risks Institute (CSRI), a London-based think tank.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Pakistan telecom sector faces test after Telenor-Ufone merger

Can the industry raise rates and invest more in 5G? Executives aren't so sure Consolidation in Pakistan's telecom sector will not necessarily lead to higher rates, industry insiders say. (Source photos by Reuters and Ufone's Facebook page) ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan's telecom industry entered a new phase in July with the merger of the country's third- and fourth-largest mobile operators, reducing the number of operators to three and prompting expectations that those left standing will now have the leeway to lift their extraordinarily low rates.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Japan’s golf courses swing big for South Korean guests

Aim to offset dwindling local demand with players from neighbor South Korean golfers arrive at Ibaraki Airport, northeast of Tokyo, on June 29. Local courses are betting on such visitors to drive up business. (All photos by Yuki Kohara) TOKYO -- Japan's golf courses are aiming to score big with South Korean players, hoping that affluent visitors from their neighbor will revive an industry hit by dwindling local interest as young people and other groups pursue more-affordable hobbies beyond the fairway.

July 31, 2026

Economy

Trade deficits for Japan, Philippines widen amid AI boom and Iran war

Rising oil prices pressure trade balances and currencies across Asia Statistics show that there is a divide in Asia between economies reaping the full benefit of tech export growth and those that cannot fully offset the negative impact of high energy prices. (Source photos by Yuki Nakao and Reuters) TOKYO -- Japan logged a trade deficit for the second consecutive month in June, while the Philippines saw its monthly deficit widen, according to government statistics released by the two countries on Thursday.

July 30, 2026

Economy

Iran war drives Asia EV boost but China slowdown weighs on overall sales

Sales have doubled in Australia, India, South Korea and Vietnam since start of conflict BYD cars are displayed at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Thailand on March 23. Sales of EVs in Southeast Asia jumped 62% on the year between March and June, led by Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, according to the International Energy Agency. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) BENGALURU -- Electric vehicle sales have spiked across most of Asia after the U.S.-Iran war drove up fuel prices, according to the International Energy Agency, with growth outpacing Europe. But sales in China, the world's largest EV market, have slumped after Beijing rolled back subsidies.

July 30, 2026

Economy

Equinix sees big business beyond hyperscalers in data center boom

Japan chief says provider primed for shift to inference with metropolitan facilities Kuniko Ogawa of Equinix Japan said new entrants serving major cloud AI platforms could struggle for profitability. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) TOKYO -- A broad customer base and a network of established partners will become more important in the data center industry as artificial intelligence demand shifts, according to a senior executive at provider Equinix.

July 30, 2026