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Economy

Philippines protests South China Sea AI video to China’s Wang Yi

Foreign Minister Lazaro says monkey characterization 'deeply offensive' Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro talked to Wang Yi, her Chinese counterpart, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila on Wednesday. © Reuters MANILA -- Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro protested to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday about Beijing's recent "violent actions" in the South China Sea and a "deeply offensive" artificial intelligence-generated video that depicted Filipinos as monkeys.

July 22, 2026

Economy

Singapore highlights energy priority in cabinet changes

Two ministers to lead rebranded trade ministry, reflecting vital importance Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has adjusted his cabinet amid the oil shock from the war in Iran. © Reuters SINGAPORE -- Singapore is prioritizing energy in a cabinet reshuffle announced on Wednesday, highlighting the sector's strategic importance as the city-state navigates the ongoing oil crisis stemming from the U.S.-Iran war.

July 22, 2026

Economy

Yen carry trade weathers storms as investors still rank currency highly

Traders who have held positions for 4-plus years can tolerate stronger yen The Japanese yen remains a priority currency for investors for funding carry trades. © Reuters TOKYO -- Yen carry trade, or borrowing at low interest rates in the Japanese currency to invest in such higher-yielding currencies as the dollar, still has a strong presence despite a storm of factors working against it.

July 22, 2026

Economy

Narita Airport aims to become East Asia cargo hub with streamline measures

Japanese airport seeks to draw transshipments that have boosted Incheon, Taoyuan A cargo plane awaits takeoff on the runway at Narita Airport. (Photo by Makoto Okada) CHIBA, Japan -- Narita Airport near Tokyo is reorganizing its cargo facilities to reduce necessary trips in and around the airport, hoping to better tap air shipping demand and establish itself as an East Asian freight hub.

July 22, 2026

Economy

Japan’s Dynabook starts producing notebook PCs domestically

Manufacturer responds to demand tied to economic security concerns Dynabook produces more than 90% of its personal computing products at a manufacturing hub in China. (Dynabook) OSAKA -- Japanese laptop maker Dynabook has started domestic production in response to local demand from customers addressing economic security concerns, the company's president told Nikkei.

July 22, 2026

Economy

Indonesia truck orders boom for Mitsubishi Fuso, Tata Motors on Prabowo plan

Automakers step up production of vehicles for village co-op program Local officials welcome trucks supplied to a village cooperative in April. (Antara Foto) JAKARTA -- An Indonesian government plan to procure more than 100,000 vehicles for villages nationwide is giving a tailwind to Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus as well as other commercial vehicle makers.

July 22, 2026

Economy

Pakistan’s moment has arrived

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, center, and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, left, pose for a photograph with U.S. Vice President JD Vance during a meeting on the sidelines of the Lake Lucerne Summit in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 21. © Getty Images Imran Khalid is a Karachi-based geostrategic analyst and a senior fellow at Foreign Policy In Focus, a U.S. think tank.

July 22, 2026

Economy

Nippon Steel acquisition of U.S. Steel changes little for Nucor, says COO

Top American steelmaker confident in strategy, balance sheet A Nucor steel mill in the state of Kentucky. The U.S. company is the world's largest electric arc furnace steelmaker. (Nucor) NEW YORK -- U.S. steel giant Nucor is not worried about Nippon Steel's entry into the American market, according to its chief operating officer, a year after the Japanese company's acquisition of rival U.S. Steel.

July 22, 2026

Economy

Inside Taiwan’s most ambitious space mission yet

Taiwan's Formosat-8A delivers high-resolution images of the Earth's surface. (Nikkei Asia montage; images courtesy of Taiwan Space Agency) Big spending increase propels aim of homegrown satellite constellation, launch site and first rocket by 2034 HSINCHU, Taiwan -- On a late winter night last December, Huang Po-Hsuan, his team and their colleagues waited anxiously in the control room at the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), their eyes fixed on screens. They were waiting for the first image taken by the recently launched Formosat-8A satellite to be transmitted back to Earth.

July 22, 2026

Economy

Japan proposes WTO end unanimity rule for certain multiparty deals

Other possible reforms include regulating opaque subsidies, with eye to China Japan has submitted a set of reform proposals to the WTO, which it hopes to get adopted in 2028. (Photo by Rintaro Hosokawa) TOKYO -- Japan has submitted reform proposals to the World Trade Organization that include changing its unanimous decision-making process to facilitate agreements among some member states, as the international body tries to overcome its current dysfunction.

July 22, 2026

Economy

China rare earth export curbs have opened up a huge price gap

Dysprosium, used in EV motors, up 700% from pre-restriction level in Europe China is virtually the sole source of dysprosium and other heavy rare earths. © Reuters TOKYO -- Prices of rare-earth elements used in electric vehicles and other industrial goods are soaring ever higher outside of China, driven by Chinese trade restrictions that have had little impact on the domestic market.

July 22, 2026

Economy

Japan convertible bond issuance at 22-year high on overseas inflows

January-June tally reaches $6.8bn as investors look to curb equities risks Japanese chip testing equipment maker Advantest raised 100 billion yen using convertible bonds in April. (Photo by Shintaro Ino) TOKYO -- Companies in Japan have sharply increased their issuance of convertible bonds, approaching a level not seen in more than two decades as foreign investors pour in money to avoid risks from trading stocks.

July 22, 2026