China Executive Insights
With trade booming, economy primed to grow at fastest pace since 2010 A view of the port of Keelung, Taiwan, in April: The island economy's exports are booming. © Reuters TAIPEI -- Taiwan's trade is reaching unprecedented heights as the island democracy and chip power rides the global artificial intelligence boom.
Increased domestic demand for palm oil likely to reduce exports, analysts say Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto officiates at the launch of the B50 biodiesel mandate in West Java on Thursday. All diesel sold in Indonesia is now required to contain 50% palm oil. © Reuters KARAWANG, West Java -- Indonesia has rolled out its B50 biodiesel mandate, increasing the required palm oil content from 40% to 50% in all domestically sold diesel to curb fuel imports and bolster energy security.
Japan fashion group due to become world's No. 2 apparel retailer behind Zara's Inditex A Fast Retailing Uniqlo store in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district. Domestic revenues were boosted by sales of seasonal clothing in its third quarter. (Photo by Takashi Miyazaki) TOKYO -- Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing raised profit and revenue forecasts on the back of strong third-quarter results on Thursday, strengthening market expectations that the Japanese clothing company would overtake rival H&M in full-year sales for the first time.
Authorities rethink bidding process after heavy losses force local player to delist Taiwan reached 500 installed offshore wind turbines in June, with 4.8 gigawatts of generating capacity. (Photo by Nikkei) TOKYO -- Taiwan's push for offshore wind farms is starting to falter as rising construction costs from inflation push companies out, spurring authorities to consider changes to keep investment coming in.
Ultra-wideband tech will allow riders to step on and off buses without tapping The new system will make it easier for passengers with baggage to board buses. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Nikkei and Odawara Auto-Machine MFG) TOKYO -- JCB and Resona Holdings are developing a hands-free payment system for buses in Japan, looking to start tests as soon as this fall as companies scramble to gain a dominant position in next-generation payments.
Revival of Pajero SUVs part of plan to reach more affluent, urban customers Mitsubishi Motors will emphasize off-road vehicles such as the Triton, pictured here. (Mitsubishi Motors) TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Motors plans to revive the Pajero off-road sport utility vehicle by opening boutique showrooms in Japan targeting affluent urban customers as the domestic market gains in importance for the automaker.
Rules lay out wage requirements, prohibit overtime in bid to keep seniors working Senior citizens enjoy a weekday afternoon in a park in the city of Dalian. (Photo by Kohei Fujimura) DALIAN, China -- The Chinese government is strengthening protections for those who continue working after reaching retirement age, part of an effort to shore up the country's labor pool as the working-age population shrinks and birth rates fall.
Lam Wing-kee was once detained by Chinese authorities as part of a broad policy to ensure the political security of Xi Jinping's administration. His death came a day after a law took effect in China that threatens free speech around the world. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters) Exiled free speech advocate's death comes as China stretches extraterritorial reach Katsuji Nakazawa is a Tokyo-based senior staff and editorial writer at Nikkei. He spent seven years in China as a correspondent, and later as China bureau chief, and was the 2014 recipient of the Vaughn-Ueda International Journalist prize.
Zentoshin's debt hit $710m, making it Japan's largest bankruptcy filing this year Zentoshin's services were popular with businesses in Osaka's Minami nightlife district. (Nikkei montage/Photos by Toshiki Sasazu and Arisa Moriyama) OSAKA/TOKYO -- The sudden bankruptcy of Japanese credit card payment processor Zentoshin has left many restaurants waiting for reimbursements that may never come, triggering concerns about a chain reaction of bankruptcies among small and medium-sized businesses.
Pacific coast terminals seen as safer supply alternative after Strait of Hormuz blockages A TotalEnergies tanker is loaded with liquefied natural gas at a new Mexican export facility bound for Asia. (Photo courtesy of ECA LNG) TOKYO -- French energy company TotalEnergies has shipped the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from a new Mexican export facility to Asia, as the region looks for supply routes free of chokepoints following the energy disruptions of the Iran war.
Takaichi stays home to handle parliamentary standoff as ruling parties' strong-arm tactic backfires Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not attend the NATO summit held July 7-8 in Turkey. (Nikkei montage. Source photos by Reuters and Kyodo) TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi missed an opportunity to deepen ties with European leaders at this week's NATO summit in Turkey as she stayed home to deal with a parliamentary standoff that has stalled her legislative agenda.
Approach enables countries to capture wider growth opportunities in fragmenting world Sonal Varma is chief economist at Nomura for Asia excluding Japan.