Economy — 1,980 insights
Yen touches 158 to the dollar as market weighs further BOJ tightening pace
Economy

Yen touches 158 to the dollar as market weighs further BOJ tightening pace

Currency swings as BOJ chief signals hawkish bias while keeping options open The currency market is trying to assess where the Japanese yen is headed after a Bank of Japan interest rate increase. (Photo by Naoko Inoue) TOKYO -- The yen slumped against the dollar in Tokyo on Friday, trading at around 157.50 against the greenback after repeated attempts at recovery faded, as the market tried to assess the pace and scale of any further Bank of Japan policy tightening following a quarter-point interest hike earlier in the day.

September 18, 2026
JAL to buy carbon credits directly ahead of 2027 demand rush
Economy

JAL to buy carbon credits directly ahead of 2027 demand rush

Tighter international rules will see more players looking to offset CO2 emissions Airlines are working to cut CO2 emissions, but efficiency improvements remain limited. (Photo by Konosuke Urata) TOKYO -- Japan Airlines is set to buy future carbon credits, which represent carbon dioxide emission allowances, ahead of tighter international aviation regulations that are expected to see credit prices surge on higher demand.

September 18, 2026
Tata scion digs in as Indian conglomerate’s board rifts deepen
Economy

Tata scion digs in as Indian conglomerate’s board rifts deepen

Noel Tata seeks to keep family control, but may have to back down on IPO opposition In a dramatic vote on Thursday, the majority of the six directors of the Tata group's holding company resolved to reappoint the chairman after his current tenure runs out next year, overruling his decision last month to stand down, and indicated it would comply with requirements for a public listing. © Reuters MUMBAI -- Less than two years after taking control of the Tata group, Noel Tata finds himself in a battle to shape the direction of India's best-known business house amid open dissent in the boardroom over leadership and a possible initial public offering.

September 18, 2026
Android phones win 54% market share in Japan after iPhone prices rise
Economy

Android phones win 54% market share in Japan after iPhone prices rise

Google Pixel climbs to become No. 2 Android model, after Sharp Aquos Google Pixel phones have gained in market share in Japan while the iPhone has slipped. (Source photos by Nikkei and AP) TOKYO -- Android phones are gaining ground in Japan's smartphone market, scoring a 54.1% market share in August after Apple raised prices for iPhones.

September 18, 2026
With a new cabinet, Takaichi’s base is secure. What comes next?
Economy

With a new cabinet, Takaichi’s base is secure. What comes next?

Tasks facing Japan PM range from managing US ties to ending dependence on Mideast oil Takaichi has maintained a strong support rate since taking office in October last year. (Photo by Sae Kamae) TOKYO -- In her first cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi likely sought to rotate the key figures who would be responsible for managing parliamentary affairs in both the upper and lower houses of Japan's legislature.

September 18, 2026
Toyota to deploy 400,000 humanoid robots to work alongside factory staff
Economy

Toyota to deploy 400,000 humanoid robots to work alongside factory staff

An ELEY robot folds clothes with arms equipped with two fingers each. (Photo by Ryo Asayama) TOKYO -- The Toyota Motor group plans to introduce 400,000 in-house-developed humanoid robots at production sites worldwide as the facilities receive upgrades, part of the automaker's push to create factories where people and robots work side by side.

September 18, 2026
Taiwan dollar, South Korea won strong among Asia currencies as AI booms
Economy

Taiwan dollar, South Korea won strong among Asia currencies as AI booms

Indian rupee and Philippine peso see little boost from high interest rates The currencies of AI and chip powers like South Korea and Taiwan are beating those of countries hiking interest rates to combat inflation. (Photo by Akira Kodaka) TOKYO -- The artificial intelligence and semiconductor boom is strengthening the currencies of South Korea and Taiwan, places that are particularly strong in those areas.

September 18, 2026
IKEA rival Nitori to focus on kitchenware over furniture in new China stores
Economy

IKEA rival Nitori to focus on kitchenware over furniture in new China stores

Japanese retailer seeks path to growth through Chinese property slump Nitori's new Hong Kong store is relatively small at 530 sq. meters. (Photo by Kensaku Ihara) HONG KONG -- Japanese furniture retailer Nitori Holdings will open more small stores in mainland China, playing up household items that are less exposed to the country's property market downturn, President Toshiyuki Shirai told Nikkei.

September 18, 2026
Japan households’ stock investments overtake insurance, pensions for first time
Economy

Japan households’ stock investments overtake insurance, pensions for first time

Equities rally, rising interest rates whet retail investors' risk appetite Revised flow-of-funds data from the Bank of Japan shows household equity assets exceeding insurance and pensions. (Photo by Nanami Sato) TOKYO -- Japanese households' equity holdings have risen above their insurance and pension assets for the first time on record, revised Bank of Japan figures released Thursday show, as a stock market rally drew in investors.

September 18, 2026
Honda to move up production of next-gen hybrids in EV strategy overhaul
Economy

Honda to move up production of next-gen hybrids in EV strategy overhaul

A CR-V made at Honda's plant in the Canadian province of Ontario. (Photo by Azusa Kawakami) TOKYO -- Honda Motor plans to accelerate mass production of next-generation hybrid vehicles by several months, aiming to start building a hybrid CR-V sport utility vehicle in North America as early as February 2027.

September 18, 2026
Petronas, Woodside tout alternatives to Mideast LNG for Asian buyers
Economy

Petronas, Woodside tout alternatives to Mideast LNG for Asian buyers

Attendees walk through Gastech Bangkok 2026 on Sept. 15. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) BANGKOK -- Malaysia's state-owned energy group Petronas is moving forward with liquefied natural gas projects in the Asia-Pacific region that could offer energy buyers viable alternatives to unstable Mideast supplies.

September 18, 2026
J-pop artists lose out as overseas royalties slip through cracks
Economy

J-pop artists lose out as overseas royalties slip through cracks

Differences in industry customs spur action at Japanese agencies Copyright management firm NexTone collects royalties directly from platforms like YouTube, while copyright group JASRAC works with its overseas peers. (Source photos by Nikkei and JASRAC) TOKYO -- Different business practices mean lyricists and composers in Japan's pop music industry are missing out on overseas royalties, highlighting the need to more sophisticated collection systems.

September 18, 2026