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Economy

How Sony leveraged data to make the Demon Slayer film a hit

Cross-group platform lifts marketing returns and sharpens strategy A new team broke down walls and connected disparate silos within the Sony Group to find fans lurking in unexpected corners like financial services. This helped "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -- Infinity Castle Arc, Chapter One: Akaza Returns" gain hit status. TOKYO -- A Sony Group team that analyzes fan data across games, anime and other businesses is delivering results. The team proposes ways to raise the value of intellectual property (IP) handled by multiple group companies, including the anime franchise Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. In the film business, advertising efficiency has more than tripled.

May 11, 2026

Economy

China’s aggressive squid fishing linked to sharp drops in catches

Japan's massive appetite for cheap seafood cited as a factor in neighbor's practices Squid being sun-dried at the Yobuko port, known for a seafood market and fresh squid, in Saga prefecture, Japan. (Photo by Nikkei) TOKYO -- There has been a sharp decline in the volume of global squid catches, with some activists blaming China for its aggressive fishing that is being driven by high demand for affordable seafood in Japan.

May 11, 2026

Economy

Trump visits China, vote on Sara Duterte impeachment, SoftBank earnings

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, in October 2025. © Reuters Asia's biggest event this week is U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China and meeting with President Xi Jinping. The U.S. delegation, whose visit was delayed for weeks due to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran launched in late February, is expected to include American tech and financial executives. But there are other eye-catching events in Asia, including the Philippine parliamentary vote on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, Thaksin Shinawatra's transfer from prison to house arrest in Thailand, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's visit to Japan and big tech companies' earnings. Get the best of our coverage of Asia and much more by following us on X, where our handle is @NikkeiAsia. We are also on Bluesky, with the handle @asia.nikkei.com. The Philippine House of Representatives is expected to hold a plenary vote on whether to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte. If House lawmakers vote in favor of impeaching Duterte, the process moves to the Senate.

May 11, 2026 · 2 dk okuma

Economy

Led by industry, Japan and Taiwan plant seeds of drone cooperation

Tokyo and Taipei eager to reduce exposure to China, but have long way to go A Taiwan-made Hummer 2 Drone is displayed during a training session at the Loung Te Industrial Parks Service Center in Yilan, Taiwan, on Dec. 2. © Reuters TAICHUNG, Taiwan -- Nascent cooperation between Japan and Taiwan on drones is budding as both face the challenge of reducing China's supply chain dominance and cost advantages.

May 11, 2026

Economy

Fiscal policy response to Iran war risks worsening inflation: BIS chief

Central banks must be 'ready to act if needed,' Pablo Hernandez de Cos says BIS General Manager Pablo Hernandez de Cos says the Middle East conflict is expected to "drive inflation upwards and growth downwards." (Photo by Akikazu Ishii) TOKYO -- Central banks worldwide must be "ready to act" against inflationary effects of the Iran war, which risk being aggravated by an excessive fiscal policy response, said Pablo Hernandez de Cos, general manager of the Bank for International Settlements.

May 11, 2026

Economy

China’s EcoFlow to sell solar panels in British supermarkets soon

Named as UK partner, Shenzhen manufacturer hopes to replicate success in Europe EcoFlow exhibited its products over April 29 and 30 at the Solar and Storage Live expo in London. (Carla Messinger) LONDON -- Chinese solar panel maker EcoFlow is expecting to sell its plug-in products in British supermarkets within months, hoping to raise brand awareness as it aims to reach commercial clients, the company's European head said.

May 11, 2026

Economy

Exiting OPEC, UAE seeks greater flexibility and growth led by its own oil

Abu Dhabi ups crude output to increase investment capability, attract foreign funds OPEC's logo is visible outside its headquarters in Vienna, on May 28, 2024. The decision by the United Arab Emirates to exit the organization of oil producing countries has raised questions about its sustainability. © Reuters Vandana Hari is the founder of Vanda Insights, a Singapore-based global energy market intelligence provider.

May 11, 2026

Economy

Natural rubber prices soar on Iran tensions, boosting Asian suppliers

Natural rubber is made from latex, a milky white substance collected from rubber trees. Sri Trang Agro-Industry's Chief Executive Officer Veerasith Sinchareonkul says the Thai rubber group sees steady demand from tire makers. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Lauren DeCicca and Getty Images) Thailand's top group sees firm demand as customers build inventories BANGKOK -- Natural rubber prices are hitting their highest levels in nine years as demand rises due to a shift away from oil-derived synthetic rubber during the U.S. war with Iran.

May 11, 2026

Economy

Japan’s Fukuoka blossoms into tech hub for foreign startups, local IT firms

Midsize city attracts companies with comfortable offices, low labor competition Fukuoka has been promoting the creation of state-of-the-art offices as part of a redevelopment plan. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu) FUKUOKA, Japan -- The southern Japanese city of Fukuoka is evolving into an information technology hub, with players including a Vietnamese startup and a Toyota Motor supplier expanding their presence to secure talent and boost business with companies in the region.

May 11, 2026

Economy

North Korea reaps huge economic boost from Ukraine war

Cash and energy from Russia over 3 years seen near Pyongyang's annual GDP North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects a weapons factory. (KCNA) SEOUL -- North Korea is enjoying an unprecedented windfall by providing military support to Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, having received foreign currency and energy supplies in exchange for weapons and troops.

May 11, 2026

Economy

Vietnam’s workers power Japan Inc but face AI risks at home

Vietnamese have edge in Japanese skills but consultant also warns of visa hurdles, rising costs A Vietnamese technical trainee, left, works with a Japanese colleague at a manufacturing plant in Tobishima, Japan. October 2025. © Kyodo HO CHI MINH CITY -- Vietnam has become indispensable to Japan's economy but faces long-term threats from artificial intelligence, rising costs and policy bottlenecks, according to Japanese consulting firm ABeam Consulting.

May 11, 2026

Economy

Thailand’s Thaksin Shinawatra released from prison after 8 months

Former prime minister granted parole, will serve remainder of sentence at home Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, right, greets his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra following his release from a Bangkok prison on May 11. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) BANGKOK -- Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released from prison on Monday after being granted parole last month and will serve the remaining months of his one-year sentence at home.

May 11, 2026