Economy — 1,070 insights
Miniso banks on finding the next Labubu as it opens 100 US stores
Economy

Miniso banks on finding the next Labubu as it opens 100 US stores

Chinese discount lifestyle retailer plans on original intellectual property to fuel growth Miniso Chief Marketing Officer Robin Liu, left, and Tom Bartlebaugh, Miniso USA's chief executive officer, with YOYO character plush toys. (Photo by Pak Yiu) NEW YORK -- Chinese retailer Miniso is betting its next phase of overseas growth on a portfolio of proprietary intellectual property, backed by plans to open 100 stores in the U.S. this year.

July 11, 2026
China’s Nexchip has global ambitions as legacy chips thrive in AI’s shadow
Economy

China’s Nexchip has global ambitions as legacy chips thrive in AI’s shadow

Nexchip Chairman Tsai Kuo-Chih speaks at the company's listing ceremony in Hong Kong. (Photo by Kensaku Ihara) TOKYO/HONG KONG/SHANGHAI -- China's Nexchip debuted Friday on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after growing into the world's eighth-largest semiconductor foundry on its strength in older-generation chips.

July 11, 2026
China anime festival shows Japan fandom undimmed by diplomatic chill
Economy

China anime festival shows Japan fandom undimmed by diplomatic chill

Despite content clampdown, Chinese fans flock to Bilibili World and snap up merch Students cosplaying as "Demon Slayer" characters take a selfie at a Sony Group booth at Bilibili World in Shanghai. (Photo by Shunsuke Tabeta) SHANGHAI -- The Bilibili World fan festival kicked off here Friday with no Japanese artist performances on the schedule, reflecting strained ties between China and Japan, but fans remained hungry for content from Japanese companies like Sony Group.

July 11, 2026
South Korea’s beauty tourism boom draws doctors away from hospital work
Economy

South Korea’s beauty tourism boom draws doctors away from hospital work

Chinese, Japanese visitors flock to Seoul region for cosmetic procedures Advertisements for cosmetic treatments line the streets of Seoul's Gangnam. (Photo by Yo Inoue) SEOUL -- Foreigners are coming to South Korea in record numbers for cosmetic procedures, adding to concerns over imbalances in the country's ability to provide medical care.

July 11, 2026
Japan’s Yoshinoya to bulk up ramen business with US acquisition
Economy

Japan’s Yoshinoya to bulk up ramen business with US acquisition

Kizuki International has 17 ramen restaurants in the U.S., concentrated largely around Seattle. (Kizuki International) TOKYO -- Yoshinoya Holdings will acquire American ramen chain operator Kizuki International for about $28.7 million as the Japanese company best known for its beef bowls looks overseas to expand its ramen business.

July 11, 2026
Mitsubishi Estate embarks on $9bn data center building spree in Japan
Economy

Mitsubishi Estate embarks on $9bn data center building spree in Japan

Real estate developer plans to use expertise gained in US at home Data centers, such as this one in France, are becoming critical infrastructure around the world. © Reuters TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Estate plans to invest about 1.5 trillion yen ($9.3 billion) to construct large-scale data centers in Japan, seeking to win a share of the growing demand for the facilities driven by the spread of artificial intelligence.

July 11, 2026
Japan shoe store giant ABC-Mart targets big strides across Southeast Asia
Economy

Japan shoe store giant ABC-Mart targets big strides across Southeast Asia

ABC-Mart President Kiichiro Hattori pictured during a recent exclusive interview with Nikkei Asia in Tokyo. Hattori took the reins at the Japanese retailer, which has a network of 1,500 stores including nearly 400 in other parts of Asia, tasked with stepping up international development. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) New president aims to lift overseas sales to half of total from under a third now TOKYO -- The tallest office skyscraper in Japan stands 15 minutes by taxi from the backstreets of western Tokyo's Waseda University district.

July 11, 2026
Marubeni gears up for machine tool growth in India as chips, data centers boom
Economy

Marubeni gears up for machine tool growth in India as chips, data centers boom

Japanese trading house buys Swiss distributor to strengthen sales of manufacturing equipment Marubeni sells machine tools such as this one together with automation solutions. (Marubeni) TOKYO -- Marubeni aims to expand its machine tool business in India and other emerging markets, combining the tools with industrial robots and other equipment to offer factory automation solutions.

July 11, 2026
SK Hynix rallies in biggest-ever foreign share sale in US
Economy

SK Hynix rallies in biggest-ever foreign share sale in US

South Korean chipmaker priced its shares at $149, riding investor demand for AI stocks SK Hynix intends to use the newly raised capital for construction of production facilities and acquiring chipmaking equipment. © Reuters NEW YORK -- SK Hynix rose about 13% on its first trading day after the South Korean chipmaker raised $26.5 billion in the largest-ever share sale by a foreign company in the U.S. amid strong investor demand for AI stocks.

July 11, 2026
Subaru embraces sports car roots with revival of manual 6-speed
Economy

Subaru embraces sports car roots with revival of manual 6-speed

Automaker's image for performance has faded amid drive to meet efficiency standards Subaru is expanding its lineup of models with manual transmissions in a bid to stand out. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Nikkei) TOKYO -- Subaru plans to bring back a long-time fan-favorite 6-speed manual transmission, part of an effort to keep its core base engaged as the company shifts to electrified vehicles that better meet fuel-efficiency and emissions standards.

July 11, 2026
Lords of the flies: Thailand’s edible insect innovators
Economy

Lords of the flies: Thailand’s edible insect innovators

Protein meal made from black soldier fly larvae is inspected during quality control at Full Circle Biotechnology in Thailand. From animal feed to probiotics, insect-based products are emerging as a more sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources. (Courtesy of Full Circle Biotechnology) Entrepreneurs are turning six-legged livestock into protein, pet food and probiotics BANGKOK -- It may seem unusual for a luxury hotel to breed black soldier flies in its parking lot, but Alisara Sivayathorn, CEO of the Sivatel Bangkok, has shown that it can be both profitable and environmentally friendly.

July 11, 2026
Playwright Hideki Noda tests London with play on science and humanity
Economy

Playwright Hideki Noda tests London with play on science and humanity

With humor, Japanese director asks audiences to ponder the cost of scientific progress Noda, center is at the photocall in Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London. (photo by Takako Fujiu) LONDON -- Japanese playwright and director Hideki Noda is curious to see how audiences in what he describes as a "scientifically advanced" society respond to a play questioning the costs of scientific progress.

July 11, 2026