Economy — 231 insights
Will Singapore warm to nuclear as 20% of electricity goes to data centers?
Economy

Will Singapore warm to nuclear as 20% of electricity goes to data centers?

Power supply a concern amid AI boom, but Google to keep investing in city-state Singapore has emerged as a major AI data center hub in Asia. (Source photo by Akira Kodaka) PALO ALTO, California -- Singapore is expected to use nearly 20% of its national grid to power data centers in 2026, a greater share than any other nation on Earth, as the city-state cements its position as one of Asia's most important digital hubs.

May 13, 2026
Japan megabanks to gain access to Anthropic’s powerful AI model Mythos
Economy

Japan megabanks to gain access to Anthropic’s powerful AI model Mythos

MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui and Mizuho were likely informed of decision by Bessent Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group are set to gain access to Claude Mythos, the powerful AI model developed by U.S. startup Anthropic. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Suzu Takahashi and Nanami Sato) TOKYO -- Japan's three megabanks are set to gain access to Claude Mythos, the powerful artificial intelligence model developed by U.S. startup Anthropic, as soon as the end of May, Nikkei learned Wednesday.

May 13, 2026
Texas Instruments boosts in-house chip output for AI infrastructure boom
Economy

Texas Instruments boosts in-house chip output for AI infrastructure boom

World's analog semiconductor leader makes 'foundational' play in Japan, Malaysia and US Texas Instruments is the world's largest maker of analog chips, which are used for sensing, controlling, powering and connecting devices, rather than for computing activities. © Texas Instruments TAIPEI -- U.S. chip giant Texas Instruments is expanding its global manufacturing footprint, including in Japan and Malaysia, to increase in-house production of "foundational" semiconductors needed to support the booming AI infrastructure market, a senior executive told Nikkei Asia.

May 13, 2026
Nvidia’s Jensen Huang heads to Beijing with Trump after all
Economy

Nvidia’s Jensen Huang heads to Beijing with Trump after all

AI chip leader's CEO is a last-minute addition to president's retinue Nvidia CEO is among the tech executives accompanying President Donald Trump to Beijing. © Reuters TAIPEI -- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is joining U.S. President Donald Trump on his visit to China for a highly anticipated meeting between the world's two most powerful leaders, the company confirmed to Nikkei Asia on Wednesday.

May 13, 2026
China, US trade chiefs to huddle for last-minute talks before Trump visit
Economy

China, US trade chiefs to huddle for last-minute talks before Trump visit

Seoul discussions aim for stabilization despite 'wider and wider' gaps in interests U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, center, arrives at Incheon International Airport ahead of a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and trade talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, hours ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival in China. © Reuters SHANGHAI -- Trade representatives from China and the U.S. are set to huddle in South Korea on Wednesday in last-minute preparations for a high-stakes summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.

May 13, 2026
South Korea floats using AI profits for ‘people’s dividend’
Economy

South Korea floats using AI profits for ‘people’s dividend’

President's policy chief suggests redistributive measure to ease AI-driven inequality The administration of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has floated the idea of having members of the public receive dividends from the massive profits of chipmakers. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters) SEOUL -- A high-ranking South Korea policymaker suggested Tuesday that members of the public should be paid a share of chipmakers' massive profits, in comments that reflect the growing reliance of Asia's fourth-largest economy on semiconductor exports.

May 12, 2026
China Inc.’s global growth curbs Trump tariff powers undercut by courts
Economy

China Inc.’s global growth curbs Trump tariff powers undercut by courts

US president likely to find levy threat gives little leverage over Xi Jinping U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing this week, as they look to preserve their trade truce. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters) SHANGHAI -- When U.S. President Donald Trump talks trade with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this week, he is likely to find that tariff threats provide less leverage than they used to, not only due to lost legal battles but also because Chinese companies have spent years diversifying global supply chains.

May 12, 2026
Trump and Xi need to master a new art of the deal
Economy

Trump and Xi need to master a new art of the deal

Frequent but substance-light summits can prevent US-China rivalry from veering out of control President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping participate in a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9, 2017. © AP Minxin Pei is professor of government at Claremont McKenna College and a nonresident senior fellow of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

May 12, 2026
Mitsubishi Heavy expects profit surge as Japan eases arms export rules
Economy

Mitsubishi Heavy expects profit surge as Japan eases arms export rules

Defense contractor touts frigate sales abroad as contributing to regional security Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' military hardware includes warships like the destroyer “Yoshii”, launched here at its Nagasaki Shipyard in Japan last December. (Photo by Taro Fujii) TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries expects full-year net profit to surge as it benefits from the Japanese government's decision to ease restrictions on defense equipment exports.

May 12, 2026
Bond yields jump in Japan and South Korea as US-Iran talks snag
Economy

Bond yields jump in Japan and South Korea as US-Iran talks snag

Higher energy prices stir inflation fears; stock markets choppy 10-year Japanese government bond yields jumped to 2.545% on May 12, a level not seen since June 1997. (Photo by Arisa Moriyama) TOKYO -- Inflation worries stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East have sent government bond yields higher in Asia, with Japan's 10-year debt yield soaring to its highest point in nearly three decades. Interest rates are also facing upward pressure in South Korea as the Iran war drags on.

May 12, 2026
Chinese rare-earth miners bullish ahead of Trump-Xi summit
Economy

Chinese rare-earth miners bullish ahead of Trump-Xi summit

Earnings rise on higher prices as importers face battle to curb China dominance People gather at the rare-earth elements production section of an exhibition on China’s manufacturing achievements at the National Museum in Beijing on March 24. © Reuters TOKYO -- Chinese rare-earth miners are coming off strong years and staying bullish ahead of President Xi Jinping's summit this week with American counterpart Donald Trump, where the critical minerals are likely to feature in discussions.

May 12, 2026
Major Japanese petroleum company expects Hormuz crisis to subside in July
Economy

Major Japanese petroleum company expects Hormuz crisis to subside in July

Idemitsu Kosan also seeks to secure oil supply from sources outside the Middle East Idemitsu Kosan is one of the few companies that has been able to slip a vessel through the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S. attacked Iran. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Yuki Nakao and Idemitsu Tanker website) TOKYO -- Idemitsu Kosan, one of Japan's largest petroleum companies, expects the Hormuz crisis to begin subsiding in July, with oil prices to fall to pre-crisis levels early next year.

May 12, 2026