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Japan’s Takaichi backs $2.3tn growth drive despite market unease
Economy

Japan’s Takaichi backs $2.3tn growth drive despite market unease

Prime minister says country hasn't 'escaped deflation' despite rising prices Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo on July 27. (Photo by Takashi Miyazaki) TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has defended her 370 trillion yen ($2.3 trillion) growth drive against mounting market concerns, insisting it will strengthen the economy rather than unleash unchecked spending.

July 27, 2026
China’s CXMT jumps 465% on debut, tops Intel’s market cap
Economy

China’s CXMT jumps 465% on debut, tops Intel’s market cap

State-backed DRAM supplier rides AI boom to record IPO despite valuation concerns Chipmaker CXMT's held a record IPO on the Shanghai STAR Market with its landmark share sale on July 27. © Reuters SHANGHAI -- Chinese memory chip maker CXMT jumped in its stock market debut on Monday, after raising at least 57.9 billion yuan ($8.6 billion) in Asia's largest initial public offering so far this year.

July 27, 2026
Bank Indonesia chief quits as political pressure mounts: 5 things to know
Economy

Bank Indonesia chief quits as political pressure mounts: 5 things to know

Governor's resignation 'a real test' of central bank's independence, analyst says The resignation of Perry Warjiyo, center, as the governor of Bank Indonesia was announced on July 27, leaving Senior Deputy Gov. Destry Damayanti, left, as acting governor. But analysts are concerned that President Prabowo Subianto's nephew, Thomas Djiwandono, right, currently a deputy governor, might replace Warjiyo. (Source photos by Getty Images and Reuters) JAKARTA/TOKYO -- Bank Indonesia Gov. Perry Warjiyo's resignation Monday surprised the market, sending stocks and the rupiah down and further stoking investor concerns about the independence of the central bank in Southeast Asia's largest economy.

July 27, 2026
Beijing-backed Taiwan unification film shelved before release
Economy

Beijing-backed Taiwan unification film shelved before release

Historical epic may have been deemed too sensitive amid rising strait tensions A screenshot of The Belief on the historic epic's official Weibo account. Slated for release in mainland China on July 25, the film has been shelved. (Photo by Yuji Murakami) HONG KONG -- A Chinese movie promoting unification with Taiwan appears to have been pulled from planned screenings in the world's No.2 economy after failing to secure the final green light from authorities, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding the issue amid heightened cross-strait tensions.

July 27, 2026
Toyota to invest in Daimler Truck and Volvo’s fuel cell joint venture
Economy

Toyota to invest in Daimler Truck and Volvo’s fuel cell joint venture

Cellcentric to push for widespread adoption of fuel cell trucks Heavy-duty trucks are viewed as a promising application for hydrogen fuel cell systems. (Toyota Motor) NAGOYA, Japan -- Toyota Motor said Monday that it has agreed to invest in Cellcentric, a 50-50 fuel cell joint venture owned by Daimler Truck and Volvo Group.

July 27, 2026
ASEAN adds Turkey as dialogue partner as defense, trade ties grow
Economy

ASEAN adds Turkey as dialogue partner as defense, trade ties grow

Weapons sales, business links secure relationship, with Malaysia named coordinator Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci, right, poses for a photo with Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Leo Herrera-Lim, center, and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Political-Security Community Dato' Astanah Abdul Aziz on July 22. (Anadolu Agency) CANAKKALE, Turkey -- ASEAN's decision to admit Turkey as its 12th dialogue partner underscores the country's growing defense industry and trade links to the bloc as the NATO member balances its Western anchor with an expanding Asian presence.

July 27, 2026
Mitsui Fudosan to build physical AI hub near TSMC’s Kumamoto base
Economy

Mitsui Fudosan to build physical AI hub near TSMC’s Kumamoto base

Center will use next-generation chips to develop prototypes for industrial applications Mitsui Fudosan seeks to bring Japanese and Taiwanese companies together to develop next-generation semiconductor technologies for robots, industrial equipment and automobiles. (Nikkei illustration) FUKUOKA/KUMAMOTO, Japan -- Japanese real estate developer Mitsui Fudosan will set up a development center in Kumamoto prefecture for physical AI, seeking to bring Japanese and Taiwanese companies together to develop next-generation semiconductor technologies for robots, industrial equipment and automobiles.

July 27, 2026
Japan PM Takaichi’s approval rating sinks 10 points to 58% in Nikkei poll
Economy

Japan PM Takaichi’s approval rating sinks 10 points to 58% in Nikkei poll

Support slips under 60% for first time as disapproval among independents tops 50% Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet logged a 10-point drop in its approval rating in the latest Nikkei poll. (Photo by Ken Suzuki) TOKYO -- Approval of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet declined 10 percentage points on the month to 58% in the latest poll by Nikkei and TV Tokyo, falling short of 60% for the first time since she took office last October.

July 27, 2026
India energy resilience faces tougher test as tensions with Iran rise
Economy

India energy resilience faces tougher test as tensions with Iran rise

New Delhi gets through first phase by adapting to oil market reality The India-flagged tanker Desh Garima unloads crude oil in Mumbai on April 30 after transiting the Strait of Hormuz. © Reuters Vandana Hari is the founder of Vanda Insights, a Singapore-based global energy market intelligence provider.

July 27, 2026
Incoming US Chamber executive urges flexibility on Japan’s $550bn pledge
Economy

Incoming US Chamber executive urges flexibility on Japan’s $550bn pledge

Walker: Japanese firms won't keep investing if commitments are driven by coercion Joshua Walker said Japan's $550 billion investment initiative in the U.S. must remain mutually beneficial for it to endure beyond the Trump administration. (Photo by Nikkei) NEW YORK -- Joshua Walker, who leaves the Japan Society at the end of July to become chief international officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said Japan should take a more flexible approach to its planned $550 billion investments in the U.S., warning that the arrangement must remain mutually beneficial to endure beyond the Trump administration.

July 27, 2026
BOJ early rate rise bets increase as yen reaches multidecade low
Economy

BOJ early rate rise bets increase as yen reaches multidecade low

The Japanese central bank is coming under pressure to act and avoid falling behind the curve on inflation, especially as oil prices creep up over $100 per barrel. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Nanami Sato, Hikaru Yagi and AP) US-Iran tensions escalate, fueling oil price surge and inflation worries TOKYO -- Expectations are growing that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates sooner than previously anticipated as the yen slides toward a four-decade low and inflation concerns stemming from the Middle East conflict reemerge.

July 27, 2026
Bangkok’s small food halls offer locals space to work and play
Economy

Bangkok’s small food halls offer locals space to work and play

Cafe-bars serve as workspaces and social hubs for residents far from rail stations The Office Thonglor serves as an eatery and a coworking space. (Photo by Nikkei) BANGKOK -- Market-style eateries are increasingly popping up in residential areas of the Thai capital, providing community spaces for locals who may not have ready access to the concentrations of regular cafes and bars around train stations here.

July 27, 2026