Economy — 1,028 insights
Tokyo eyes more affordable housing in Shibuya with zoning rule change
Economy

Tokyo eyes more affordable housing in Shibuya with zoning rule change

Floor area ratio limits to be relaxed for developers that build low-rent apartments Condominium rents in central Tokyo rose about 8% on the year this May. (Photo by Sae Kamae) TOKYO -- The development of affordable housing units in central Tokyo is set to grow alongside major redevelopment projects in Shibuya and elsewhere as the government offers zoning incentives to developers that also build apartments with rents around 20% below market rates.

June 18, 2026
Japan’s Takaichi to visit India with execs from Suzuki, Itochu and more
Economy

Japan’s Takaichi to visit India with execs from Suzuki, Itochu and more

50 business leaders plan trip to Assam state, poised to become chip hot spot Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, left, heads to India with a delegation of business leaders in July. (Source photos by Nikkei, Reuters) TOKYO -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visits India's northern state of Assam in early July, accompanied by leaders from over 50 Japanese companies and organizations, Nikkei has learned.

June 18, 2026
AI nation: Is it boom, bubble or both for South Korea?
Economy

AI nation: Is it boom, bubble or both for South Korea?

Stocks, exports and national strategy are increasingly tied to a single tech bet The KOSPI share index's vertical climb above the 8,800 mark is either the wonder of Asian finance -- or a glaring AI asset bubble. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters) William Pesek is an award-winning Tokyo-based journalist and author of "Japanization: What the World Can Learn from Japan's Lost Decades."

June 18, 2026
Yen falls after Fed decision, erasing intervention gains since April
Economy

Yen falls after Fed decision, erasing intervention gains since April

Japanese currency near two-year low as rate gap pressures mount The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to 1% on Tuesday, but the move had been largely priced in, limiting support for the yen. (Photo by Akira Kodaka) NEW YORK -- The yen fell against the dollar Wednesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve held rates steady, erasing gains from market interventions by the Japanese government and the Bank of Japan, and hitting its weakest level in nearly two years.

June 18, 2026
SoftBank, Rakuten bonds draw Japan retail investors chasing returns
Economy

SoftBank, Rakuten bonds draw Japan retail investors chasing returns

Rising rates help asset-rich older households, but pile debt on working-age families SoftBank Group and Rakuten have proven popular with retail investors looking to buy corporate bonds thanks to their relatively high yields. (Source photos by Nikkei) TOKYO -- Japan's retail investors are snapping up corporate bonds to take advantage of their high yields, shifting away from the traditional asset management instruments of stocks and investment trusts.

June 18, 2026
Thailand suffers 25% drop in tourists from Middle East
Economy

Thailand suffers 25% drop in tourists from Middle East

Iran war's impact comes as Chinese stay away following actor's abduction A travel agency in the Little Arabia district of central Bangkok. (Photo by Shota Manda) BANGKOK -- Thailand's tourism industry has been hurt by the turmoil in the Middle East, with visitors from the region plunging 25% on the year during the January-May period to around 150,000.

June 18, 2026
Japan’s big banks weigh financing arms makers in break with past
Economy

Japan’s big banks weigh financing arms makers in break with past

A Mogami-class frigate. Japanese financial institutions are considering greater involvement in the country's defense sector. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi) TOKYO -- Major Japanese banks are cautiously shifting from a blanket policy of avoiding loans to security and defense companies to one of measured consideration, driven by heightened geopolitical risks and the government's April decision to lift the ban on exports of lethal weaponry.

June 18, 2026
Sharp defense satellite receivers offer both low and geostationary links
Economy

Sharp defense satellite receivers offer both low and geostationary links

Japanese electronic company's flat antennas allow more flexible installation Sharp is also developing this civilian version of the satellite receiver. (Photo by Kyoko Hariya) OSAKA -- Japanese electronics group Sharp is developing communications receivers for defense that can link with satellites in different types of orbits for more stable connections, aiming for commercialization in 2028.

June 18, 2026
Wacoal taps bra-making tech for car armrests in BASF tie-up
Economy

Wacoal taps bra-making tech for car armrests in BASF tie-up

As domestic market shrinks, Japan underwear maker turns to auto interior business Wacoal's Melooop technology used to form bra cups can be applied to make auto interior parts. (Wacoal) KYOTO, Japan -- Women's undergarment maker Wacoal will expand into the automotive interior business through collaboration with the Japanese unit of chemical producer BASF.

June 18, 2026
Nippon Steel ‘not yet satisfied’ with U.S. Steel reforms, VP says
Economy

Nippon Steel ‘not yet satisfied’ with U.S. Steel reforms, VP says

Mori says US workers see joining with Nippon Steel as a positive Nippon Steel Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President Takahiro Mori speaks at a press conference on June 11. (Photo by Shintaro Ino) TOKYO -- One year after its blockbuster acquisition of U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel's efforts to reform the struggling steelmaker have delivered some positive results, but the Japanese parent is not satisfied with the improvements yet, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President Takahiro Mori told Nikkei.

June 18, 2026
Woodside sees LNG, oil sales rising 50% as investments from US to Australia pay off
Economy

Woodside sees LNG, oil sales rising 50% as investments from US to Australia pay off

Aussie group sees 'strong appetite' in America for liquefied natural gas, CEO says An LNG facility operated by Woodside in northwestern Australia. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) SYDNEY -- Australia's Woodside Energy Group is poised for a big increase in liquefied natural gas and crude oil sales as it begins recouping large investments made in recent years.

June 18, 2026
Malaysia’s Genting plans $20bn smart city in Johor-Singapore special zone
Economy

Malaysia’s Genting plans $20bn smart city in Johor-Singapore special zone

AI research and agricultural technology to feature in project aiming to attract global professionals A model of the planned Johor Tech Smart City is displayed during the project's launch event in the southern Malaysian state of Johor on June 12. (Photo by Kentaro Takeda) SINGAPORE -- Malaysian property and leisure conglomerate Genting has launched a $20 billion smart city project featuring an artificial intelligence research facility in the southern state of Johor, adding to growing technology investment in the area.

June 18, 2026