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Economy

Australian workers vow strike at world’s largest iron ore bulk export port

Unions inform BHP of 8-hour walkout plan as company seeks further talks Port Hedland is located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. © Reuters SYDNEY -- Unions representing workers at the world's largest iron ore bulk export port in Australia are vowing a brief strike they say could potentially cost resource major BHP tens of millions of dollars and delay exports destined for steel mills in China, Japan and South Korea.

July 10, 2026

Economy

Japan and India must harness middle-power momentum in the Indo-Pacific

Recent summit underscored growing ties between Tokyo and New Delhi Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is received by her Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, during her arrival at an event in New Delhi on July 2. © Reuters Farwa Aamer is based in New York as the Asia Society Policy Institute's director of South Asia initiatives, while Emma Chanlett-Avery is the organization's director of political-security affairs and deputy director in Washington.

July 10, 2026

Economy

Hong Kong looks beyond Iran war in cultivating China-Mideast business

City hosts LEAP conference from Saudi Arabia to promote AI and other tech connections Cornerstone Robotics, an exhibitor at the Saudi-founded LEAP conference in Hong Kong, is looking at selling its surgical system in the Middle East, as well as Southeast Asia and Europe. (Photo by Lorretta Chen) HONG KONG -- Hong Kong is rekindling ties with the Middle East after business activity was disrupted by the Iran war, with Chinese tech companies at a conference showing eagerness to expand in the region.

July 10, 2026

Economy

Japan weighs dedicated agency to support Self-Defense Forces retirees

To entice young recruits, government aims to boost retirement benefits, reemployment assistance Members of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force stand at attention in Camp Asaka in Tokyo. (Photo by Sae Kamae) TOKYO -- The Japanese government is considering setting up an agency dedicated to providing support for retired Self-Defense Forces members as part of efforts to strengthen recruitment and retention, Nikkei has learned.

July 10, 2026

Economy

SoftBank and PayPay offer to invest up to $1.9bn in 7-Eleven parent

Move aims to bolster convenience stores and points ecosystem Seven & i is looking for backing from SoftBank and partners to expand its points network and improve store operations. (Nikkei composite) TOKYO -- Seven & i Holdings is in talks to accept an investment of up to 300 billion yen ($1.9 billion) from SoftBank Corp. and its affiliate PayPay, Nikkei has learned, as the companies seek to strengthen Japan's largest convenience store chain through their extensive payment and loyalty point networks.

July 10, 2026

Economy

Malaysia’s Johor vote tests Anwar’s support ahead of general election

Investment boom raises stakes as voters weigh tangible gains Flags of political parties are seen along the street in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on July 9, ahead of the Johor state election. (Photo by Norman Goh) JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia -- A state election in Johor on Saturday will offer an early gauge of Malaysia's political landscape ahead of the next general election, analysts say, as it tests support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's ruling coalition and its ally's ambition for a national comeback.

July 10, 2026

Economy

China successfully recovers rocket at sea in push for reusable launches

Demonstration signals lower costs and faster turnaround as nation vies with US China successfully tests an experimental rocket recovery system using a net-like structure offshore on July 10. (Source photos from Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch's WeChat account) HONG KONG -- China successfully tested rocket recovery at sea on Friday, a key step toward lowering the cost of space missions, as the country vies with the U.S. for supremacy in space technology.

July 10, 2026

Economy

Taiwan’s top memory chip maker Nanya Tech to quadruple 2027 capex

World's No. 5 DRAM maker expects profit margin to continue growing in 2026 Taiwanese memory chip producer Nanya Technology plans to quadruple capital spending in 2027 amid an unprecedented AI-fueled supply crunch. (Nanya Technology) TAIPEI -- Taiwan's largest memory chip maker Nanya Technology plans to quadruple capital spending in 2027 as it expects memory prices and gross margins to continue rising this year, driven by an unprecedented AI-fueled supply crunch.

July 10, 2026

Economy

Teardown of cheap USB drives shows storage capacity faked via microSD card

Chinese devices from Amazon, elsewhere quietly lose data exceeding actual capacity A USB flash drive was found to contain a microSD card in lieu of a memory chip. (Photo by Taro Yokosawa) TOKYO -- An examination of underpriced USB flash drives purchased by Nikkei from e-commerce platforms found that half had less storage capacity than advertised, all of which were made in China.

July 10, 2026

Economy

Onitsuka Tiger’s flagship store in Tokyo boasts ‘Street Fighter’ arcade

Japanese high-end sneaker label aims boost customer traffic with popular game The amusement area in Onitsuka Tiger's new flagship store in Tokyo includes the classic "Street Fighter" arcade game. (Photo by Marie Yoshimura) TOKYO -- Japanese sneaker brand Onitsuka Tiger's newest and biggest flagship store houses a video arcade featuring the retro game "Street Fighter II X" as it seeks to boost customer traffic and enhance the brand's image.

July 10, 2026

Economy

Asian allies build up missile production as US stockpile dwindles

The first Australian-manufactured Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System missiles are test fired at the Woomera Range Complex on April 9. (Australian Department of Defence) Uncertain of American orders, Australia, Japan, S. Korea and Taiwan look to local factories CANBERRA -- Thousands of rockets and missiles have been launched over the years from the Woomera Range Complex, which covers a vast expanse of South Australia bigger than North Korea.

July 10, 2026

Economy

Nestle to build $690m plant in Thailand for Nescafe coffee

Nestle products on display at a supermarket in Thailand. (Photo by Kosuke Inoue) BANGKOK -- Nestle, the world's largest food company, plans to build a plant in Thailand to produce instant coffee and other products.

July 10, 2026