Economy — 2,075 insights
Historic southern Philippines assembly election tests stability, self-rule
Economy

Historic southern Philippines assembly election tests stability, self-rule

Creation of Bangsamoro parliament a major step to end decades-long separatist conflict Campaign posters for the Sept. 14 election to the legislature in the Southern Philippines' Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on display along a road in Cotabato, Mindanao, Philippines. © Kyodo MANILA -- More than 2 million voters in the southern Philippines head to the polls on Monday to elect a regional parliament in one of the final stages of a protracted peace process to end a decades-long separatist conflict in one of the poorest parts of the country.

September 14, 2026
Australian luxury bootmaker RM Williams’ next step is Japan
Economy

Australian luxury bootmaker RM Williams’ next step is Japan

Brand aims to build on European growth with Asian sales push Annual revenue has doubled at RM Williams since the bootmaker was bought back into Australian ownership in 2020. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi) ADELAIDE, Australia - Australian luxury brand RM Williams, whose boots made for cattlemen are now worn by Hollywood stars and major politicians, is planning to ride into Japan on the back of the country's admiration for artisan work.

September 14, 2026
Asian air-con makers prepare for hotter Germany after bumper summer
Economy

Asian air-con makers prepare for hotter Germany after bumper summer

LG, Midea and Daikin see future in dual-use heat pumps with cooling function People cool off in the Isar River during a heat wave in Munich at the end of July. © Reuters HAMBURG, Germany -- After the hottest summer on record in Western Europe, air conditioner manufacturers like LG, Daikin Industries and Midea are preparing for the future by expanding and changing their product lines for countries unused to scorching summers.

September 13, 2026
BOJ meeting, Semicon India, Hong Kong’s first five-year plan
Economy

BOJ meeting, Semicon India, Hong Kong’s first five-year plan

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events Financial markets in Japan and beyond will be eyeing the outcome of a key meeting at the nation's central bank this week. (Photo by Nanami Sato)

September 13, 2026
Japan lags behind major countries in creating safe bike lanes
Economy

Japan lags behind major countries in creating safe bike lanes

The Japanese government has approved a target to increase the spaces for bicycle traffic in the fiscal year ending March 2031 by 20% from fiscal 2024 numbers. Nation's 'blue ticket' system fining bicyclists for traffic violations renews awareness of road risks TOKYO -- Japan needs many more dedicated bike lanes for the safety of bicyclists, Nikkei's data analysis shows. For example, the total length of such lanes in Tokyo's 23 wards is less than 10% of the bike network in Paris.

September 13, 2026
China’s ‘red tourism’ boom draws families to Communist Party landmarks
Economy

China’s ‘red tourism’ boom draws families to Communist Party landmarks

Xi's patriotism push promotes trips to historical places tied to Mao, other leaders A statue at the Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site in Yan'an, featuring Mao Zedong in the center. (Photo by Yukio Tajima) BEIJING -- China is enjoying a boom in "red tourism," as large numbers of families combine sightseeing at Communist Party historical sites with children's summer studies amid a push by President Xi Jinping to bolster patriotism.

September 13, 2026
Liechtenstein, friendly to Japan’s imperial family, gives women path to rule
Economy

Liechtenstein, friendly to Japan’s imperial family, gives women path to rule

Hereditary prince says succession system's overhaul aims at stability as much as gender equality Liechtenstein's Hereditary Prince Alois, who serves as regent on behalf of Prince Hans-Adam II, speaks to Nikkei on Aug. 25 at Vaduz Castle. (Photo by Pierre Virot) VADUZ, Liechtenstein -- Liechtenstein has opened the way for a woman to become head of state by reforming a succession system that had for more than 400 years limited succession to male descendants. Despite a population of just over 40,000, the principality is one of the few European monarchies in which the sovereign retains significant constitutional powers.

September 13, 2026
Modi and Xi agree to look beyond ‘differences’ at New Delhi talks
Economy

Modi and Xi agree to look beyond ‘differences’ at New Delhi talks

Leaders also discuss trade and supply chains on sidelines of BRICS summit Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, on Sept. 12. (India's Ministry of External Affairs/Handout via Reuters) © Reuters NEW DELHI/TOKYO -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met Saturday on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, where the leaders emphasized that "differences should not become disputes" and the need to address concerns relating to trade and supply chain issues.

September 13, 2026
Footloose in Kandy: Lingering in Sri Lanka’s sacred city
Economy

Footloose in Kandy: Lingering in Sri Lanka’s sacred city

Kandy, Sri Lanka’s last royal capital, lies amid the island’s central highlands. The historic city is finding new appeal through modern dining, specialty coffee and design-led retreats. (All photos by Zinara Rathnayake except where indicated) Dining, design and wellness bring fresh energy to the former royal capital KANDY, Sri Lanka -- Set in the central highlands, 121 kilometers east of Colombo, Kandy was home to Sri Lanka's last kings before the island fell under British colonial rule in 1815. Today, the nation's second-largest city -- and the spiritual heart of its predominantly Buddhist population -- is adding a contemporary dimension to its historic character, with design-led wellness retreats and modern dining.

September 13, 2026
Japan’s Nidec to exit Cambodia production over Thailand border conflict
Economy

Japan’s Nidec to exit Cambodia production over Thailand border conflict

Nidec is restructuring operations that have expanded after years of mergers and acquisitions.(Photo by Kosaku Mimura) TOKYO -- Japanese motor maker Nidec will withdraw from production in Cambodia in light of the impact of the border dispute with Thailand, Nikkei learned Saturday.

September 13, 2026
Fujitsu to export AI chips built on supercomputer tech to US, Asia
Economy

Fujitsu to export AI chips built on supercomputer tech to US, Asia

Japanese company to tap growing demand for CPUs for inference Fujitsu seeks to expand its presence in the global semiconductor market with its logic semiconductor.(Source photos Nikkei) TOKYO -- Fujitsu will begin exporting AI semiconductors that are developed with technology used in its supercomputer "Fugaku" to the U.S. and Asia as early as next year.

September 13, 2026
Bandai finds right recipe to turn toothbrushes into Gundam models
Economy

Bandai finds right recipe to turn toothbrushes into Gundam models

Japanese toymaker teams with Kao, Lion to shrink environmental footprint of popular kits A plastic Gundam model made from recycled plastic stands next to the pellets and discarded detergent packs that form the raw materials. (Photo by Ryota Nishiyama) TOKYO -- Bandai Namco Holdings is partnering with cosmetics maker Kao and daily goods maker Lion to recycle used toothbrushes and household product packaging into the toy and entertainment company's popular Gundam plastic model kits, aiming to promote resource recycling across industries.

September 12, 2026