eChina.news

Economy

EV boom drives ASEAN car sales in Q2, with Indonesia surging 34%

China's BYD gains market share; VinFast sales help Vietnam draw level with Thailand BYD unveiled a plug-in hybrid at a major auto show in Jakarta running from July 30 to Aug. 9. Chinese automakers are expanding beyond battery EVs in Indonesia, aiming to lure consumers concerned about charging infrastructure and long-distance travel. (Photo by Tomoyoshi Oshikiri) TOKYO/JAKARTA/KUALA LUMPUR/SINGAPORE -- Accelerating demand for electric vehicles is helping power Southeast Asia's auto market, sparking sales from Indonesia and Malaysia to Thailand and Vietnam.

August 3, 2026

Economy

Anwar coalition ‘losing shine’ as local elections show declining support

Experts say PM's group is no longer viewed as symbol of hope as everyday struggles mount Malaysia's Barisan Nasional chair Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, third from right, and other leaders celebrate the group's victory in the Negeri Sembilan state election on Aug. 1. (Photo by Norman Goh) KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's coalition has lost another key local election, suggesting declining support for his reformist government ahead of the country's next general election due by early 2028.

August 3, 2026

Economy

Japanese airlines report record sales but high fuel prices shrink profits

JAL and ANA have ramped up fare surcharges since April due to the Iran war Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are the country's two largest commercial passenger airlines, operating extensive domestic and international networks, with Haneda Airport in Tokyo a major hub. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara) TOKYO -- Japan Airlines announced an 80% fall in quarterly profit Monday, as it followed rival carrier ANA Holdings in reporting record revenues but a major hit to the bottom line from high fuel prices caused by the Iran war.

August 3, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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