Economy — 1,139 insights
Xpeng pitches itself as Chinese Tesla to Europeans
Economy

Xpeng pitches itself as Chinese Tesla to Europeans

Carmaker focuses on 'physical AI' that powers EVs, chargers for flying cars, humanoids The Xpeng L03 can be fitted with a small combustion engine that can be used to power its battery, but not to propel the car. (Photo by Jens Kastner) MUNICH, Germany -- Chinese automaker Xpeng is going to such great lengths to build an image as a tech pioneer that some journalists expected a troupe of breakdancers performing at its global brand day in Munich last Wednesday to be humanoids.

July 22, 2026
German travel app Omio raises $10m from Japan-Singapore fund
Economy

German travel app Omio raises $10m from Japan-Singapore fund

Unicorn hopes to expand rail and bus booking operations in Asian markets Omio hopes to use Granite-Integral's expertise in the Japanese and Southeast Asia markets, where it sees further growth potential in overseas tourism. (Photo by Koji Nozawa) TOKYO -- Germany-based travel startup Omio has raised $10 million from Granite-Integral, a Japan-Singapore joint venture fund, as it seeks to expand its rail and bus booking app business in Asian markets as overseas tourism continues to grow in the region.

July 21, 2026
Private jets find new runway in Vietnam
Economy

Private jets find new runway in Vietnam

Vietstar provides private flights for jet setters on trips from Vietnam to Singapore for business or to Nepal for spiritual holidays. (Vietstar) Business travel and rising wealth lift demand in factory hub, though from a small base HO CHI MINH CITY -- The private-jet market is gaining altitude in Vietnam, a factory hub where rising wealth and cross-border business exchanges are creating demand for services long associated with the global elite.

July 21, 2026
Exclusive: TSMC to raise chipmaking prices by up to 10% from 2027
Economy

Exclusive: TSMC to raise chipmaking prices by up to 10% from 2027

Hikes cover cutting-edge and mature chips amid surging costs and overseas plant construction TSMC is taking a less aggressive approach to raising prices for its chipmaking clients, according to sources. © Reuters TAIPEI -- TSMC is set to raise prices for both advanced and mature chip production services by up to 10% in 2027 to reflect rising costs for materials, manufacturing equipment and construction of new overseas chip plants, multiple sources told Nikkei Asia.

July 21, 2026
NY Life investment arm steps up Japan private-asset push
Economy

NY Life investment arm steps up Japan private-asset push

Tokyo team to double to about 20 as Japanese investors diversifying beyond bonds Competition is intensifying among global alternatives managers seeking a share of Japan's growing private asset market. (Screenshot from New York Life Invest Management's website) TOKYO -- New York Life Insurance's asset management arm is stepping up its push into Japan's private asset market, joining other global money managers betting that Japanese investors will increase allocations to alternative investments.

July 21, 2026
Japan revises corporate governance code: 5 things to know
Economy

Japan revises corporate governance code: 5 things to know

New guidelines come as investors demand greater capital efficiency Authorities see Japan's revised corporate governance code as a cornerstone of Japan's growth strategy and want listed companies to raise their corporate value. (Photo by Shintaro Ino) TOKYO -- Japan on Tuesday released its latest update to its Corporate Governance Code.

July 21, 2026
Takaichi’s new economic blueprint for Japan: 4 things to know
Economy

Takaichi’s new economic blueprint for Japan: 4 things to know

PM is betting that public spending can be turned into lasting productivity gains Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the House of Councillors budget committee in Tokyo on June 22. (Photo by Ken Suzuki) TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet approved its annual economic and fiscal policy blueprint on Tuesday, laying out a long-term plan to lift growth through public-private investment while redefining the government's approach to fiscal discipline.

July 21, 2026
Malaysian electric vehicle sales overtake hybrids as market shifts
Economy

Malaysian electric vehicle sales overtake hybrids as market shifts

Proton's e.MAS models help double EV sales as automakers raise 2026 industry forecast Proton's e.MAS 5 is displayed at its launch event in Malaysia. The model has helped drive a surge in EV sales that saw electric vehicles overtake hybrids in the first half of 2026. (Photo by Ahmad Mustakim) KUALA LUMPUR -- Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia more than doubled in the first half of 2026, overtaking hybrids for the first time and helping drive a sharp increase in demand for electrified cars, prompting a rise in the local auto industry's full-year forecast.

July 21, 2026
China-US spat over South China Sea threatens to overshadow ASEAN meeting
Economy

China-US spat over South China Sea threatens to overshadow ASEAN meeting

Beijing and Washington trade accusations as foreign ministers to join Manila gathering China Coast Guard personnel, left, chase Philippine Navy members at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on July 20, in this screenshot from a video. (Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP) MANILA -- An escalating row between China and the U.S. over a clash between the Chinese coast guard and Philippine Navy in the South China Sea is threatening to overshadow a gathering of regional foreign ministers and many of their global counterparts in Manila this week.

July 21, 2026
Mainland publishers raise profile at Hong Kong Book Fair
Economy

Mainland publishers raise profile at Hong Kong Book Fair

ByteDance's Tomato Novel touts online microdramas; local booksellers wary of 'red lines' The seven-day Hong Kong Book Fair, sponsored by the government, ran through July 21. (Photo by Anne Chan) HONG KONG -- Chinese publishers have established a larger presence at Hong Kong's annual book fair, while local independent booksellers were removed from the exhibition amid renewed political scrutiny.

July 21, 2026
AI offers new path for Asia’s manufacturers, from EVs to humanoids
Economy

AI offers new path for Asia’s manufacturers, from EVs to humanoids

Executives see potential for autonomous driving and robotics in 'off-China supply chain' Foxconn's chief strategy officer for EVs, Jun Seki, told Nikkei's Global Digital Summit 2026 that electric vehicles would come to the fore as driving became more automated. (Photo by Kazuho Fujiwara) TOKYO -- Asian companies are turning to artificial intelligence to make electric vehicles and humanoid robots more useful, as manufacturers seek an edge in industries where Chinese players are rapidly expanding.

July 21, 2026
Four Indians killed in Russian strike on vessel off Ukraine
Economy

Four Indians killed in Russian strike on vessel off Ukraine

New Delhi summons Moscow's envoy as reports say 3 cruise missiles killed 10 in total In a statement, India's Ministry of External Affairs said that "such attacks undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce." © Reuters NEW DELHI -- India on Tuesday summoned a top Russian diplomat to convey its "grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation" of an attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Ukraine that killed four Indian seafarers on Sunday.

July 21, 2026