Economy — 1,055 insights
Japan may have spent $32bn in Friday’s yen intervention
Economy

Japan may have spent $32bn in Friday’s yen intervention

The second day of buying came on top of the U.S. selling euros for yen Around 6 p.m. on July 31 in Japan, the yen surged to the 158 range against the dollar from about 160 earlier. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita) TOKYO -- Preliminary money market data released by the Bank of Japan suggests that Japan on Friday spent around 31.8 billion dollars buying yen, part of a two-country intervention in which U.S. authorities also participated by trading euros for yen.

August 3, 2026
Myanmar grants access to Suu Kyi ahead of Thailand visit
Economy

Myanmar grants access to Suu Kyi ahead of Thailand visit

ICRC gains first known private visit with detained former leader in years Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Arnaude de Baecque, Myanmar's resident representative and head of delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Aug. 3, 2026. © Myanmar Government spokesperson/Reuters BANGKOK -- A few days ahead of Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing's visit to Thailand, his isolated regime has made its most noticeable diplomatic concession since the former army chief seized power in February 2021, allowing access to the country's twice-elected democratic leader, former Senior Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.

August 3, 2026
Nissan secures net profit for Q1, sticks to full-year target
Economy

Nissan secures net profit for Q1, sticks to full-year target

Carmaker returns to black on quarterly basis for 1st time in 2 years amid restructuring Nissan Motor is implementing its Re:Nissan business restructuring plan as it continues to launch new vehicles such as the Leaf EV, Kicks compact SUV and Elgrand premium minivan. (Photo by Arisa Moriyama) YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Nissan Motor on Monday reported a net profit of 3.7 billion yen ($24 million) for the April-June quarter due to improving business performance and rigorous cost management. It also remains committed to returning to profitability this fiscal year ending March 2027 for the first time in three years.

August 3, 2026
Chinese buyers pull back from US homes as state restrictions grow
Economy

Chinese buyers pull back from US homes as state restrictions grow

Homebuyers from China fall from top to 3rd place, but on average buy higher-priced dwellings Among foreigners who did not make a home purchase, the most common reason was the inability to find a suitable property, followed by affordability. © Reuters NEW YORK -- Fewer Chinese are buying U.S. homes in the 12 months through March than a year earlier, as several states enacted laws barring certain foreign nationals from purchasing property.

August 3, 2026
Japan’s Orix to buy UK aircraft parts company AerFin as travel demand grows
Economy

Japan’s Orix to buy UK aircraft parts company AerFin as travel demand grows

$640m deal seeks to bolster group's aircraft-leasing business The acquisition of AerFin will support Orix's aircraft-leasing business. (Source photos by Nikkei and AerFin) TOKYO -- Orix will acquire U.K.-based aircraft aftermarket components company AerFin under plans announced Monday, aiming to expand the Japanese financial services group's airplane-leasing business as travel demand rises.

August 3, 2026
NTT, Toyota lead record year for Japan capex with AI, factory investments
Economy

NTT, Toyota lead record year for Japan capex with AI, factory investments

An NTT Data Group data center in Japan. (NTT Global Data Centers Japan) TOKYO -- Capital spending by big Japanese companies is on track to reach an all-time high this fiscal year, propelled by investment in data centers, chipmaking, power grids and other fields related to artificial intelligence.

August 3, 2026
Help wanted, Japan
Economy

Help wanted, Japan

Recruitment signs promise better jobs, but fewer people are there to take them Yamato Transport promises high pay and lots of benefits regardless of experience, gender, or education in the critically understaffed transport sector. (Photo by Mike Birt) Mike Birt is a Princeton-trained historian and global health strategist who has worked with Japan's health leaders for over three decades.

August 3, 2026
Indonesia’s IPO market stalls as quality reforms deter potential issuers
Economy

Indonesia’s IPO market stalls as quality reforms deter potential issuers

Indonesia has become one of the weakest IPO market among Southeast Asia's major economies despite a regional rebound. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and Yuki Kohara) Pause comes as policy uncertainty rattles investors in ASEAN's biggest economy JAKARTA -- A market overhaul in Indonesia aimed at restoring investor confidence is slowing the country's initial public offerings, with tougher listing standards and persistent policy uncertainty prompting companies to delay share sales despite a number of large potential deals.

August 3, 2026
AI funding spree shows signs of strain: higher borrowing costs, SpaceX sell-off
Economy

AI funding spree shows signs of strain: higher borrowing costs, SpaceX sell-off

Investor risk awareness grows around massive bond, share offerings SpaceX's market capitalization ballooned to $3 trillion after its initial public offering, but its shares have since slumped. © Reuters NEW YORK -- As big U.S. tech companies scramble for billions of dollars to fund their race for AI dominance, the bullish investors that had fed this appetite are beginning to seem less confident about the outlook.

August 3, 2026
Japan won’t hesitate to act again after joint yen intervention with US: Katayama
Economy

Japan won’t hesitate to act again after joint yen intervention with US: Katayama

Tokyo wanted 'little bit of help' on yen from US, Trump says after intervention Japan's Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks to the media about the U.S.-Japan joint forex action upon her arrival at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 3. © Reuters TOKYO -- Japan and the U.S. conducted a coordinated intervention to support the yen on Friday, Japan's Finance Ministry officially confirmed Monday morning, marking the first time since 2011 that the two countries stepped in together to move the currency market.

August 3, 2026
Japanese startups rush into defense drones
Economy

Japanese startups rush into defense drones

Eams Robotics aims to work with Anduril, Terra Drone brings battery production to Japan The P1-SUN Long Interceptor Drone, developed by Ukrainian defense technology company SkyFall, is just one example of the growing importance of drones on the battlefield. © Getty Images TOKYO -- Japanese startups are entering defense drone production as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks to reduce dependence on China and expand domestic manufacturing.

August 3, 2026
Starting gun for Central Asia data center race triggered
Economy

Starting gun for Central Asia data center race triggered

Saudi-backed Uzbek project to open year-end; Nvidia-supported Kazakh campus takes shape Saudi Arabia-backed TAS-1 is being built in Tashkent by DataVolt and its first phase will be completed by year-end. (DataVolt) TASHKENT/ISTANBUL -- The race to build data centers in Central Asia is intensifying, with Uzbekistan set to complete the first phase of a facility by year-end and Kazakhstan's Nvidia-backed project expected to offer 125 megawatts by 2027.

August 3, 2026