Economy — 1,133 insights
Five US tech giants’ hidden debts soar to $1.65tn on opaque AI funding
Economy

Five US tech giants’ hidden debts soar to $1.65tn on opaque AI funding

Data center leases, GPU supply contracts raise liabilities at Meta, Oracle, Nikkei study shows A Meta data center in the state of Georgia. The company's off-balance-sheet debt is about $420 billion, nearly triple its transparent debt. © AP PALO ALTO, California -- Hidden debt at U.S. tech giants swelled eightfold in roughly four years to an estimated $1.65 trillion as artificial intelligence investments ballooned, a Nikkei study shows, exceeding actual debt and making it tougher for investors to assess risk.

July 21, 2026
Sara Duterte’s trial puts Philippine democracy in the dock
Economy

Sara Duterte’s trial puts Philippine democracy in the dock

Impeachment battle could reshape the 2028 election and Manila's geopolitical course Sara Duterte appeals for support at an election rally in Manila on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) Richard Heydarian is an Asia-based geopolitics expert and author of "The Indo-Pacific: Trump, China and the New Struggle for Global Mastery."

July 21, 2026
China’s high-rise pig farming leads to pork glut, falling prices
Economy

China’s high-rise pig farming leads to pork glut, falling prices

Changing dietary habits and rising living standards contribute to demand shift Pork prices have declined for 13 straight months in China. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) BEIJING -- The proliferation of industrial-scale pig farms equipped with advanced technology has led to a steady drop in pork prices in China.

July 21, 2026
Japanese self-driving truck venture T2 raises $30m
Economy

Japanese self-driving truck venture T2 raises $30m

Startup plans nationwide logistics network covering both land and sea T2 seeks to commercialize Level 4 long-haul autonomous truck driving as early as fiscal 2027. (T2) TOKYO -- Japanese startup T2, a developer of self-driving truck systems, has raised roughly 5 billion yen ($30.7 million) from 11 investors, Nikkei has learned.

July 21, 2026
Honda holds on to hope for China business with GAC tie-up extension
Economy

Honda holds on to hope for China business with GAC tie-up extension

Automaker sticks with key market despite sales falling 60% in five years Honda and GAC extended their partnership by 10 years, rather than agreeing to another 30-year term. (Photo by Shizuka Tanabe) GUANGZHOU -- Honda Motor's 10-year extension of its joint venture with China's Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) suggests that the company is not giving up on the critical market, despite its sales there plummeting amid the country's shift to electric vehicles.

July 21, 2026
Singapore’s care tech race heats up as city-state ages rapidly
Economy

Singapore’s care tech race heats up as city-state ages rapidly

Patients at the Outram Community Hospital in Singapore participate in a physiotherapy session led by "Dexie," one of two humanoid robots developed by a local startup. (All photos by Arundhati Hazra) Humanoid and pet robots, advanced movement sensors among devices being developed SINGAPORE -- New arrival May Tong is excited about her first physiotherapy session at Singapore's Outram Community Hospital. As a long-term sufferer from rheumatoid arthritis, the arm-strengthening exercises are not new for the 80-year-old patient. However, the class instructor is. "Dexie" is a humanoid robot that leads physiotherapy sessions and games to engage seniors at the hospital.

July 21, 2026
Cool Japan Fund faces uncertain future after falling deeper into the red
Economy

Cool Japan Fund faces uncertain future after falling deeper into the red

Content-focused investment fund suffers from scattershot approach A ceremony to commemorate the launch of the Cool Japan Fund in November 2013. © Kyodo TOKYO -- Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry could begin talks this month on restructuring or eliminating the Cool Japan Fund, a public-private investment fund that has struggled with its mission to promote Japanese content overseas.

July 21, 2026
China’s Moonshot AI plans Hong Kong IPO as Kimi K3 shocks Silicon Valley
Economy

China’s Moonshot AI plans Hong Kong IPO as Kimi K3 shocks Silicon Valley

People walk past the Moonshot booth promoting its Kimi K3 AI model during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 17. © Reuters HONG KONG -- Chinese startup Moonshot AI is preparing for a public listing in Hong Kong, potentially within six months, as the company's valuation and revenue both continue to surge, two people familiar with the matter told Nikkei Asia.

July 21, 2026
Game giant Nexon’s shares drop despite success of ARC Raiders
Economy

Game giant Nexon’s shares drop despite success of ARC Raiders

Struggles in Western markets, China slowdown have tempered market expectations TOKYO -- Video game company Nexon, founded in South Korea and headquartered in Japan, faces growing pains as its Chinese and South Korean businesses show signs of slowing but its long-sought expansion into Western markets remains incomplete.

July 21, 2026
New UK PM Burnham may seek stronger Asia ties to power growth
Economy

New UK PM Burnham may seek stronger Asia ties to power growth

Former Greater Manchester mayor oversaw large investments from China, Japan and India New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham poses for photos with his wife, Marie-France van Heel, after taking office. © Reuters LONDON -- Britain's "most Asian" prime minister could pursue closer trade and investment ties with the region, but the former mayor's efforts to replicate nationally his successes in Greater Manchester may face opposition over China.

July 21, 2026
Chinese-backed online broker Moomoo tests Japan’s market-entry regime
Economy

Chinese-backed online broker Moomoo tests Japan’s market-entry regime

Regulatory action revives concerns over foreign acquisitions of Japanese brokerages Chinese-backed online brokerage Moomoo entered Japan in 2022 but is now subject to disciplinary recommendations by the country's Financial Services Agency. (Source photos by Ryuta Minamihata and Manami Yamada) TOKYO -- As foreign companies step up acquisitions as a means to enter Japan's brokerage market, enforcement action by the country's financial watchdog against Chinese-backed online brokerage Moomoo Securities Japan has raised broader questions over whether the country's licensing and supervisory framework is equipped to oversee such entrants.

July 21, 2026
Panasonic’s search for a new identity
Economy

Panasonic’s search for a new identity

Tech Latest: Tune in to Nikkei Asia's podcast for the freshest updates on the tech sector Welcome to the Tech Latest podcast. Every Tuesday, our tech experts Katey Creel and Shotaro Tani deliver the hottest trends and news from the sector. In this episode, Shotaro speaks with Tokyo correspondent Tsubasa Suruga about Panasonic's transformation and why investors are still waiting for a convincing growth story. -- From TVs to AI: Japan's old electronics giants tune into digital world

July 21, 2026