Jan 27th
Global COVID-19 cases top 100m as mutations multiply
12 main types of the novel coronavirus have been identified
Peru volunteer in Sinopharm COVID vaccine trial dies of pneumonia
Participant received a placebo, says university involved in study
Jan28th
IOC’s Bach pleads for ‘patience’ amid Olympic cancellation report
Chief rejects speculation, as organizers prepare playbook of COVID safeguards
Biden and Suga reaffirm US commitment on Senkakus
Japanese leader to attend April 22 climate summit
Apollo to buy Showa Denko’s aluminum assets for $480m
US asset manager’s first acquisition in Japan expands materials portfolio
Jan27th
Japan foreign minister eyes US trip next month to strengthen ties
Free and open Indo-Pacific agreed upon in Motegi-Blinken phone call
Japan to produce 90m doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
Local drugmakers to make jabs soon as Tokyo becomes desperate to contain pandemic
Isuzu to source truck engines from Cummins for key models
US deal to help Japanese automaker focus on EV and other next-generation tech
Nissan to launch only electrified cars in key markets in 2030s
Aggressive initiative part of company’s aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050
COVID shots meet skepticism in South Korea, China and Japan: poll
Survey for Davos meetings shows only 14% to 23% want immediate vaccinations
Japan Inc prepares for automation bonanza in China
Factory robot makers Yaskawa Electric and Daifuku plan new factories as demand soars
First private Japan launcher to recover payload after space trip
Interstellar Technologies pushes boundaries with maverick founder Takafumi Horie
Sumitomo buys out Singapore construction equipment renter
Japan trading house looks to expand Aver Asia’s footprint in Thailand and Indonesia
Florida offers to replace Tokyo as Summer Olympics host
COVID outbreak in Japan raises speculation that organizers may back out
Shin-Etsu to boost US plastic production on back of Biden stimulus
Japanese chemical maker plans $1.25bn investment, anticipating infrastructure push
Vaccines will power 5.5% global economic growth in 2021: IMF
Following pandemic-induced contraction, expansion would be fastest since 2010
Jan26th
Toyota forges ahead with 8.25m vehicle goal despite chip crunch
Automaker projects minimal impact from production cutbacks
Germany to send naval frigate to Japan with eye on China
Berlin takes a first step in its new Indo-Pacific strategy
India to award Shinzo Abe second-highest civilian honor
Efforts to push for free and open Indo-Pacific recognized by Modi government
Humidifiers and hot plates lift Japan appliances sales to 24-year high
Cooped-up consumers also buy more high-priced toasters and big TVs
Japan’s contact tracers squeezed by mounting COVID cases
Public health center staffing spread thin with few leads from national tracing app
Mind the digital gap in Asia’s post-COVID economy: Davos panelists
Singapore minister and others stress workforce upskilling for ‘inclusive growth’
