Nikkei Asian Review (May 18, 2023)

Japan

May18th

Sony eyes listing for heavyweight finance unit
Japanese conglomerate examining partial spinoff of Sony Financial Group

NTT, JERA plan Japan’s largest acquisition in renewables
$2bn offer for Green Power Investment comes amid competition for wind, solar sites

Kishida to seek more investment in meeting with chipmaker execs
TSMC, Samsung, Intel and more to discuss plans with Japan PM on Thursday

Global investors seeking stability send Japan stocks to 20-month high
Nikkei average back above 30,000 on steady economy, monetary outlook

May17th

Nikkei Stock Average closes over 30,000, highest since Sept. 2021
Benchmark average boosted by foreign demand

G-7 set for a show of resolve in Hiroshima: 5 things to know
Wealthy economies aim to defend rules-based order, woo ‘Global South’

Why a ballistic sub can visit South Korea but not Japan
Tokyo’s three nonnuclear principles prevent entry; some say it’s time for change

Japan’s Q1 GDP expands by annualized 1.6%
Economy rebounds more than expected on post-COVID spending

Kishida to meet South Korea, Taiwan, U.S. chip company execs
Japan looks to revive domestic semiconductor industry on supply concerns

Japan to relax rules for startup visas, seeking foreign talent
Private companies will be able to check eligibility, speeding process

May16th

Fujifilm to invest $110m in Taiwan chip material production
Japanese company to build new plant and expand facilities on the island

Mitsubishi Corp., others make $73.6m bet on fusion power in Japan
Consortium will invest in Tokyo-based startup, aim for early commercialization

Japan’s advanced chipmaking suppliers help prompt Samsung to open hub
U.S.-China tech war, founder’s philosophy also behind new research facility in Yokohama

Top Japan banks’ upbeat forecast dimmed by U.S. worries
High interest rates and regional bank failures raise red flags in growth market