28 NOVEMBER 2019
Beijing turns South China Sea code into barrier for US and Japan
Agreement would bar outsiders from resource and defense partnerships with ASEAN
Japan’s retail sales plunge following tax hike and typhoons
Weak demand for big ticket items behind biggest decline since 2015
Japan readies plan to strengthen its farmers ahead of US trade pact
Support will be given to boost exports and aid farmers threatened by cheap imports
Japan takes leap in the dark for OLED cost advantage
‘World’s first’ printing technology faces mass production test
Exclusive: Panasonic exits chipmaking with sale to Taiwan player
US-China trade war proves last straw for money-losing business
SoftBank joins quest for remote-piloted ships
Mitsui OSK and other Japanese shippers seek to remedy chronic crew shortages
If Donald Trump crashes the dollar, Asia will need to watch out
US President regularly complains currency is too high
Fired exec says Japan Display committed accounting fraud
Allegation comes amid $5m embezzlement scandal
Columbia-Nikkei journalism scholarship awarded to Grace Li
Hong Kong-based ex-Reuters reporter wins $100,000 prize for academic achievement
Honda to stay in F1 in 2021
Despite heavy costs, automaker to commit to supplying engines after successful season
27 NOVEMBER 2019
Japan weighs tighter protections on internet user data
Government panel considers requiring consent for use of cookies for individuals
How emoji became a multimillion-dollar business
From emoticons to Line Friends, they offer a creative and emotional vocabulary
Yoshinoya, slinger of beef bowls, leads Japan in productivity
Self-service push contributes to 50-fold gain in profit per full-timer
Pope airs opposition to nuclear energy over safety risks
Francis clarifies position on way home from disaster-scarred Japan
Thai mall adds Japan touch with Mitsubishi Estate investment
Developer takes $33m stake in Central Group’s premium outlet center
Japan’s births headed for biggest crash in 30 years
Population decline accelerates, defying hopes of Reiwa baby boom
David buys Goliath: Showa Denko to bet it all on Hitachi Chemical
Magnetic disk leader aims to transform into supplier for 5G chip industry
Docomo offers free Amazon Prime as Japan’s 5G race heats up
Top wireless carrier dangles streaming content to lure new users
Less paperwork for Chinese visitors as Japan allows online visas
Government launches digital services to take pain out of bureaucracy
Mizuho penalized for not reporting $77m in Caymans profits
Japanese megabank says it didn’t skirt taxes in 2008 effort to raise capital
Japan restaurant leader joins movement against single-use plastic
Skylark answers the call for greener alternatives
Tokyo Stock Exchange to allow fast-track promotion to big board
Controversial rule change seen as rescue for demoted Toshiba
China tops world in diplomatic posts as US retreats
Beijing actively adds embassies in countries flipped from Taiwan
Q&A with IMF’s Georgieva: Japan can do more for working women
New managing director urges use of fiscal and monetary policy to lift growth
26 NOVEMBER 2019
Japan’s new rules on foreign investment risk capital flight
Protecting ‘strategic companies’ may prove costly to Abe government
Pope Francis’ Japan visit spotlights a safe haven for Catholics
Tour brings hope to believers facing persecution in Asia and beyond
Japanese tour of disputed islands holds out hope of progress with Russia
Russian-held Southern Kurils could become focus of cross-border free-travel zone
Taiwanese startup Appier raises $80m to expand beyond Asia
SoftBank sits out while new Taiwan, Hong Kong investors join
IMF urges graying Japan to raise consumption tax to 15%
Fund calls for inflation target flexibility as chief backs Tokyo’s stimulus
Japan targets seafood poachers with plan for ‘proof of origin’
Major importing country wants certificates for many overfished products
Japan tackles problem of unclaimed land bigger than Taiwan
Government panel proposes mandatory registration of heirs, enforced by fines
Hitachi nears sale of core chemical unit to Showa Denko
KKR and Carlyle had shown interest in estimated $8bn deal
Mitsubishi hones renewable skills with $4.5bn Dutch buyout
Trading house teams with Japan utility Chubu to purchase Eneco for distribution expertise
Bamboo power: Japanese plant fires up for trial runs
Kumamoto biomass startup mixes in bark to prevent furnace damage
Japan and South Korea revert back to bickering over export controls
Dispute over deal to resume trade talks and military intel pact spells trouble
25 NOVEMBER 2019
Facebook and KDDI to partner in 5G business
Companies to develop AR and VR sales system for retailers
Abe urges China to maintain free and open Hong Kong
Japanese PM cites value of ‘one country, two systems’ to Chinese foreign minister
LNG prices in Asia plunge 43% as new US supply hits market
Production at new fields in Australia and Russia adding to glut
Pope offers condolences to victims of Japan’s 2011 earthquake
Francis calls for more rebuilding efforts and urges rethink of nuclear power
The BOJ plays good cop, bad cop to help ailing regional banks
Japan’s central bank (gently) pushes lenders to cut costs and raise fees
Kirin to sell Australian dairy unit to China’s Mengniu
Japanese brewer continues streamlining to focus on alcoholic beverages
Japan’s ancient Shikoku Henro pilgrimage wins over Canadian writer
Author depicts culture spanning 1,200 years in tale of 1,400-km journey
Asian companies rack up strongest post-Lehman profit gains
Led by China, region is home to 80% of businesses notching 10-fold increases
Abe’s approval hit by questions over taxpayer-funded festivities
Support for cabinet slides 7 points to 50%, stemming from cherry blossom party
Empress Masako can shine as a role model for Japanese women
Her curtailed career and personal pressures reflect real-world struggles
China’s squid-hunting trawlers put Japanese sushi staple at risk
Hauls are down 60% as poachers flood the resource-rich waters in Sea of Japan
24 NOVEMBER 2019
Pope pushes for abolition of nuclear weapons in A-bombed cities
True peace can only be an ‘unarmed peace,’ pontiff says
India’s GDP, Alibaba Hong Kong listing and Xiaomi earnings
Your weekly lineup of Asia’s biggest business and political events
Sake, ninja and Kyoto hot topics at Japanese colleges
Courses designed to pique interest in local industries and revive communities
Yahoo Japan and Line aim for Southeast Asia dominance
Alliance to learn from Thai experience amid fierce global competition
US looks at contingency plan in case of violent Hong Kong crackdown
Territory’s ‘high degree of autonomy’ in retreat, State Department official says
Japan’s $83bn bullet train at risk as governor defends waterway
Shizuoka governor objects to three-way talks, calling for greater inclusion
Foreign ministers agree to arrange Abe-Moon summit in December
23 NOVEMBER 2019
Meet the 84-year-old Japanese app developer who inspired Tim Cook
Masako Wakamiya says it’s never too late to learn about IT and finance
G-20 foreign ministers agree WTO reforms “urgent” amid trade war
Pope Francis arrives in Japan to promote anti-nuclear message
Japan to strengthen IP protections for its high-end produce
Move will curb foreign growers so Japanese farms realize the fruits of their labor
Nintendo’s Miyamoto wants to make Mario the new Mickey Mouse
Legendary game creator has high hopes, but achieving goal may take generations
WeWork looks to become profitable in 2021
New chief Marcelo Claure plots shift away from risky long-term leases
US pressure behind Seoul’s 11th-hour pivot on GSOMIA intel pact
Japan-Korea tensions over trade and forced labor leave fate in limbo
Japan plots 20-year race to quantum computers, chasing US and China
Tokyo to set target backed with R&D budget increase
Seoul hails Taiwanese chip investment for easing Japan reliance
GlobalWafers opens $450m wafer factory expected to supply Samsung
Toyota zips past GM to claim China’s No. 2 spot in car sales
Energy-efficient models win fans in the world’s top auto market
Japan’s folk dance capital offers $11,000 cultural tour
Tokushima leans on unique heritage to draw international luxury travelers
Japan, Russia agree to start joint economic projects in 2020
22 NOVEMBER 2019
South Korea reverses decision to end GSOMIA intel pact with Japan
Condition of agreement is Japan’s removal of export controls
Strike at Honda’s Indian motorbike arm compounds broader woes
Labor relations face test as vehicle-sector recovery proves elusive
5G helps speed up golf at a stroke
Technology helps players predict where balls land and save time locating them
Asian yen for Japanese tourism proves a mixed blessing
Weak currency makes visitors open wallets, but turns off overseas workers
Japan’s stricter foreign investment rules clear parliament
Market braces for impact of screening requirements for sensitive sectors
Panasonic says ‘it’s up to Tesla’ to pick Gigafactory or China batteries
After Nevada struggles, Japanese company won’t follow Musk to Shanghai
A WeWork that works? TKP turns heads by turning profits
Japan office rival puts new dent in SoftBank’s ‘kingmaker’ strategy
Japan’s consumer inflation stagnant despite tax hike boost
Tight purse strings hinder price rises and stall BOJ’s inflation efforts
WeWork to slash global workforce by 20%
Company to lay off 2,400 people as it pares costs to shore up earnings
Trader famed for shorting Japan’s economy shuts fund to clients
Louis Bacon’s macro hedge fund Moore struggled after financial crisis
Singapore and South Korea airport operators battle for Manila
Will the Philippine gateway look more like Changi or Incheon?
When the clock strikes 5, Japan’s workforce goes back to work
Reforms to improve work-life balance have left some hustling for extra cash
Panasonic to pull plug on LCD panels by 2021
Japanese plant will shift to car batteries, driven out by foreign rivals
Wagyu to return to China’s dinner tables after 20-year import ban
Foreign ministers to sign agreement paving way for Japan to resume sales
Japan readies $2bn to support industry research on 6G tech
Stimulus package includes fund to close gap in next-gen communications race
Huawei turns to Japan as US blacklisting hits supply chain
China tech giant touts expected $11bn in spending as it woos Japanese suppliers and universities
21 NOVEMBER 2019
SoftBank loan plan draws mixed reaction from WeWork-wary banks
Mizuho shows interest while MUFG and Sumitomo Mitsui remain aloof
Japanese women shatter glass ceiling at UN, Sadako Ogata style
Organization offers opportunities not available in Japan
Apple, Intel file antitrust case against SoftBank-owned firm over patent practices
