Nikkei Asian Review (Dec 15, 2022)

Latin America

Dec14th

Argentina, Messi roll over Croatia 3-0 to reach World Cup final
South Americans will face France or Morocco on Sunday for title

Japan

Dec15th

SMBC to tap global banking head Akihiro Fukutome as new CEO
59-year-old traces roots to Mitsui Bank, will be first leader with outside experience

Taiwan to surpass Japan in GDP per capita this year: JCER
South Korea to pull ahead in 2023 as weak yen compounds low productivity

Japan’s Euglena eyes biorefinery in Malaysia for sustainable fuels
Biotech startup teams with Petronas, Eni in hope to use waste oil and microbes

Japan ruling bloc split over China ‘threat’ in defense policy review
Resistance from Komeito party results in Beijing being labeled a ‘challenge’

Dec14th

Toyota to power Aichi factory in Japan with wind
Japanese carmaker plans to install five turbines in 2023

Japan’s Rapidus chip project plans global search for talent
Aims for mass production of advanced semiconductors this decade

Hong Kong takes biggest ever fall in global ‘Power City’ rankings
Financial hub down to 23rd from 13th; Singapore and Tokyo remain in top 5

Japan PM faces cabinet rebellion over tax hikes for defense
‘If I’m dismissed, so be it,’ economic security minister says after dissenting tweets

Japan’s Mitsui eyes building $550m U.S. bioplastics plant
Bio-PET factory, one of world’s largest, would cut carbon emissions tied to drink bottles

Takeda buys Nimbus autoimmune drug arm for $4bn
Japan drugmaker zeros in on potential ‘wonder pill’ for psoriasis, other conditions

Dec13th

Cambodia to train Ukraine land mine clearance personnel: Hun Sen
Asian countries including Japan attend Paris conference on solidarity, reconstruction

Japan to introduce certification for Japanese-language teachers
Instructors will need to have qualifications to teach international students

Japan’s Rapidus partners with IBM to make advanced chips
‘Several trillions of yen’ needed for government-backed company to start output

Japan, Netherlands to join U.S. in China chip curbs: Report
Tokyo Electron, ASML were crucial remaining suppliers for effective sanctions

Japan eyes tax incentive to redirect stock gains to startups
Angel investors encouraged to reinvest profits from trading