Jan 18th
Japan to use data from outside clinical trials in drug approvals
Bid to speed up review process aimed at getting new medicines to market faster
Japan emergency will intensify losses in struggling sectors
Monthly red ink to exceed $2.2bn across restaurants, rail and air
Japan developers go green at Tokyo office buildings
Mitsubishi Estate and Tokyu Land pivot to renewables as draw for tenants
Sharp mask factory aims to go from ‘out of the blue,’ into the black
Business thrown together with help from Foxconn boosts efficiency with automation
New South Korea envoy eyes ‘political solutions’ to issues with Japan
Two countries should not repeat the mistakes, says Kang Chang Il
Jan17th
Japan scrambles to deny reports that Olympic cancellation possible
Cabinet minister earlier said ‘could go either way’
Japan stock funds charge to new record with retail bulls
Changing investor preferences mean more money is held long term
Japan’s new ambassador to South Korea takes third post in Seoul
Self-taught Korean speaker Koichi Aiboshi served at embassy under Moon’s mentor Roh
Jan16th
30,000 Japanese stuck at home with COVID as hospital beds short
Figure jumps 70% in a week as third wave of infections takes hold
TDK eyes $5bn push into electric vehicle batteries and clean energy
Rohm and other electronic parts makers jump on EV supply chain bandwagon
Japan development bank launches $500m fund to grow wind sector
Novel framework lowers hurdles for newcomers to build more farms
Japan CEOs accept state of emergency, but brace for tough losses
Nikkei poll shows two-thirds expect sales drop, while 20% fear long shutdown
Japan welcomes Biden’s pick of Indo-Pacific czar Kurt Campbell
New White House will tap deep reservoir of experience, Foreign Minister Motegi notes
Ahead of Biden era, Toyota agrees to pay $180m in emissions case
Carmaker reaches record settlement to avoid drawn-out court battle
South Korea’s Eastar Jet seeks receivership while pursuing buyer
Coronavirus slams country’s crowded field of budget airline
Jan15th
KKR to invest $1.7bn in Asia’s data centers, warehouses and offices
Investment firm says pandemic is transforming region’s real estate sector
Japan’s ruling party pushes for entry ban through Lunar New Year
LDP members seek extension to ease public concerns on coronavirus
‘Indo-Pacific czar’ Kurt Campbell calls for spreading out US forces
Biden’s new coordinator seeks to shore up Asian order
Japan and China woo Africa in dueling diplomatic blitz
Motegi makes second recent visit to continent, along with Latin America swing
Asia flexes tech muscle in COVID fight with ‘smart masks’ and robots
Startups dive into health products to ease transition to new normal
Japan, China and South Korea compete for LNG as cold wave hits
World’s top three importers rush to secure limited supplies as prices jump
LG, Panasonic and Sony step up EV efforts
Cost-efficient and eco-friendly parts and batteries showcased at CES
Former Japanese farm minister indicted for bribery
Yoshikawa suspected of $48,000 bribe from food company
Toshiba to hold shareholder meeting as activist pressure mounts
Japanese conglomerate braces for tough questions from overseas investors
Japan’s Aeon to increase self-checkouts to ease labor shortage
Smartphone app intended to cut waiting times and costs at 1,000 supermarkets
Japanese restaurants hit hard by new state of emergency
Watami and other izakaya chains close until February amid COVID-19 surge
