9 DECEMBER 2019
Japan’s GDP growth upgraded to 1.8% for July-September
Revised capital investment comes in well above initial reading
Elon Musk is wrong to praise Japanese giant’s block on short-selling
Betting against companies is useful way of highlighting perceived problems
Lexus to launch EV in China taking on VW and Tesla
Toyota capitalizes on brand’s popularity to kick-start sales in 2020
Japan’s ivory trade fuels illegal exports to China, Africa says
Illicit shipments continue to drive elephant poaching
US tariffs kick in, Tankan survey, and Taiwan campaign kicks off
Your weekly lineup of Asia’s biggest business and political events
8 DECEMBER 2019
Body of doctor Nakamura arrives in Japan after shooting in Afghanistan
Japanese startup weaves gold from unsold apparel
Nagoya company sells brand-name clothing under new label
The 10 best temple getaways for family vacations in Japan
‘Shukubo’ inns let kids meditate Zen-style and parents stay clear of city noise
Praised by Elon Musk, Japan fund move fuels short-selling debate
GPIF halts stock lending from $1.5tn portfolio, reducing ammo for negative bets
Mitsubishi Electric worker investigated over suicide of recruit
7 DECEMBER 2019
City looks to new museum about ‘Japan’s Schindler’ as tourist draw
Historic exhibits on Jewish refugees arriving in Tsuruga to feature at expanded museum
Alaska governor pitches LNG exports to Japan
Dunleavy says Alaskan arctic gas can compete on price in Asia
From wickets to walk-offs: MLB seeks to convert India to baseball
America’s pastime looks to Asia to grow fans as attendance suffers at home
Japan Coast Guard launches unit to handle North Korean ‘ghost ships’
Derelict fishing boats wash up on northern shores when weather turns rough
Japan’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserve to land in Niseko
Malaysia’s YTL Hotels also opens serviced apartment complex in Hokkaido
Hitachi wins $460m British high-speed train contract
Manufacturer to supply 135 emissions-reducing carriages
Tokyo probes banks’ hefty transfer fees
Various handling charges suspected of shutting out fintech startups
China clamps down on baby eel trade in blow to unagi restaurants
Proposed export restrictions risk cutting off Japan’s main supply
Asahi gulps down Singaporean vending machine company
Advend acquisition gives Japanese drink maker bigger Southeast Asian platform
Tokyo Dome on track to report 10% profit gain on Arashi fever
Giants playoff berth and popular boy band’s merchandise fuel earnings
Early retirement up in Japan as companies seek younger staff
Thousands of workers between 45 and 52 are shown the exit
Flooded Japan bullet train yard to be raised 10 meters
Nagano facility had been flagged for risk of once-a-millennium deluge
Disney Japan apologizes for stealthy promotion of Frozen 2
Distributor asked seven people to create and tweet illustrations
Japan defense budget hits record $50bn on new jet
Cost of developing stealth fighter spelled out for first time
SoftBank will win WeWork bet in Starbucks style: Bernstein
Analyst says valuation is justified in the long term
Xi Jinping set to make first state visit to Japan in April
Mention of specific month comes with Abe security chief in Beijing
Jack Ma warns companies ‘cannot live on shareholders’
Son vows to double down on Vision Fund as SoftBank sets up AI lab with University
6 DECEMBER 2019
Biogen builds case for its Alzheimer’s drug, skeptics say more data needed
China learns nursing care from Japan as it, too, grows older
Beijing hopes to gain public support by improving the lives of the elderly
Uniqlo enters Vietnam, Southeast Asia’s growth engine
Chairman Yanai calls country ‘land of promise’ as sales and manufacturing hubs
Japan police to immediately revoke driver’s licenses for road rage
National authorities plan harsher penalties after recent high-profile incidents
Tokyo ‘sumi-e’ artist brings new life to traditional art
From formal kimonos to fashion T-shirts, Japan’s celebrated ink painting bridges eras
Panasonic to build new consumer electronics plant in China
The first such plant in 16 years comes despite US-China trade war
Japan’s household spending posts fastest decline in 3 1/2 years
Drop follows sales tax increase and powerful typhoon
SoftBank ‘no bailout’ pledge tested as tech stress spreads
Son’s quest for his next Alibaba hit by another low valuation
Japan stimulus package swells to $120bn in Abenomics reboot
Tokyo bolsters infrastructure while bracing for Olympic hangover
Temasek startup fund raises $70m from Japan’s Marubeni and SMBC
Fund will invest in AI ventures in such countries as India and China
Amazon leaves packages at the door, defying Japan’s service culture
Drop-off service to be offered nationwide despite concerns over theft
Huawei breaks free from Trump’s tech trap
Far from being hobbled, the Chinese company is winning with 5G
5 DECEMBER 2019
MUFG Bank weighs charging fee on idle accounts
Move reflects lenders’ aging business model and higher compliance costs
US investor bids to keep China out of Philippine shipyard
Alliance with Australian shipbuilder has backing of local Navy
‘Work’ and ‘life’ to follow ‘mobility’ as next venture cash magnets
JCER report gauges startup trends and regional economic prospects
Tetsu Nakamura: Humanitarian who devoted his life to Afghanistan
Slain Japanese doctor wanted to ‘shine light into dark corners’
Japan and South Korea to discuss export controls on Dec. 16
First such talks since 2016 will be held in Tokyo
