China Executive Insights
Only 3 certified to teach Japanese under new employment skill development program Indonesian workers in the Japanese city of Utsunomiya participate in an online Japanese course. (Photo by Eugene Lang) TOKYO -- As Japan shifts to a new training program for foreign workers, only three schools nationwide are certified to teach Japanese for the language requirement.
Japan would be the first non-NATO country to participate in DIANA program NATO Assistant Secretary General Tarja Jaakkola speaks to reporters in Tokyo on May 15. (Photo by Shogo Kodama) TOKYO -- Japan has approached NATO about participating in an accelerator that supports defense startups, a senior official with the Western alliance confirmed Friday, in what would mark a first for a nonmember.
Japan central bank to weigh whether to cut bond purchases further next year The Bank of Japan began tapering bond purchases in August 2024. (Photo by Akira Kodaka) TOKYO -- As the Bank of Japan prepares to review its plans for reducing government bond purchases, voices around Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are sounding a note of caution.
About half the country's crude from region arrives via foreign operators for hefty fee A Taiyo Oil tanker that arrived in Japan in March, having taken on Middle Eastern oil off the coast of Malaysia. (Photo obtained by Nikkei) TOKYO -- Roughly half the tankers headed to Japan carrying Middle Eastern crude oil between March and May had obtained the oil using the unusual method of ship-to-ship transfers off the coasts of Malaysia and India, a Nikkei analysis has found.
Australia's Gold Coast, once better known for its beaches, is making waves in the global film industry, backed by government grants and a growing reservoir of production talent. Major projects are coming to the coastal city for talent, landscapes and state support GOLD COAST, Australia -- Brandishing a sword on a ship built on top of a hydraulic gimbal, with waves splashing at his sides, veteran stuntman Colin Handley beamed with pride knowing that he was a part of what was then the biggest film production ever made in his country.
No indication the 2 leaders resolved points of contention on trade or Iran Investors sold American stocks on the morning of May 15 as concerns over higher oil prices and stickier inflation dampened sentiment. © Reuters NEW YORK -- U.S. equities markets tumbled on Friday, dragged down by inflation worries and rising Treasury yields, after a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping ended with no major breakthroughs.
US president departs without trade commitments as Beijing claims stability win U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands while leaving after a visit to the Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing, China, May 15, 2026. NEW YORK -- The historic meeting between the world's two most powerful leaders appeared more ceremonial than meaningful, analysts say, after two days of pageantry and talks yielded no major breakthroughs.
Taiwan talks draw attention; Takaichi says Trump affirms 'unwavering' Japan alliance U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he departs Beijing Capital International Airport aboard Air Force One on May 15. © Reuters SHANGHAI/TOKYO -- U.S. President Donald Trump made his first visit to China in nearly nine years, as the rival superpowers sought to stabilize their fraught relationship. The American president arrived Wednesday evening and left on Friday. The visit included plenty of face time with Chinese President Xi Jinping, from formal bilateral talks to a state banquet, tea and lunch. The leaders discussed the Iran war, trade, tensions over Taiwan, and artificial intelligence. Trump brought an entourage of corporate executives including Tesla's Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook and Nvidia's Jensen Huang. Trump-Xi summit more symbol than substance, political experts say Xi warns Trump that handling Taiwan issue 'poorly' risks a 'clash' Boeing faces long haul in China as Trump touts expected sale of 200 jets China Inc.'s global growth curbs Trump tariff powers undercut by courts 8:20 p.m.
Local delicacies are displayed at a night market in Luang Prabang, Laos. The former royal capital retains its unhurried pace long after sunset. © Getty Images UNESCO World Heritage City shines with temples and French colonial flair LUANG PRABANG, Laos -- Rising from a narrow peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang is one of Southeast Asia's most romantic cities. Walkable and virtually traffic-free, imbued with old temples and colonial-era French architecture, the city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for more than 30 years. While tourism dictates daily life, the slow charm of communist Laos lingers in cafes, riverside eateries and temple courtyards.
Mahito Shikama will take on key role as part of executive reshuffling Mahito Shikama, a star engineer and Managing Officer at Honda R&D, is set to become corporate transformation officer at Honda Motor this summer. (Photo by Takuya Fujisawa) TOKYO -- Still smarting from setbacks in electric vehicles, Honda Motor will soon entrust a relatively young engineer with rebuilding the Japanese automaker's business.
Supplies offer psychological relief, but too small to impact overall market Power provider JERA has major LNG facilities at the port of Futtsu in Chiba prefecture. (Photo by Rie Ishii) TOKYO -- A tanker carrying liquefied natural gas from the Middle East via the Strait of Hormuz is set to reach the Japanese port of Futtsu as early as Monday, the first such shipment to reach the country since the strait was effectively closed because of the Iran conflict.
Central bank says Mideast conflict has begun to weigh on economic outlook A view of Kuala Lumpur's skyline: Malaysia's economy grew at a slower pace in the first quarter of 2026, compared with the previous three months. © Reuters KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia's economy grew at a slower pace in the January-March quarter, as the impact of the Middle East conflict began to weigh on the economy, official data from the central bank showed Friday.