A temporary end of government subsidies for electricity and gas have pushed inflation higher. (Photo by Konosuke Urata) 
Inflation

Japan's inflation accelerates for third consecutive month in July

Core CPI gains 2.7% on temporary end of electricity and gas subsidies

23 August 2024
Issuance of Suica and Pasmo travel passes will resume in September following a shortage of chips last year. 
Transportation

Japan travel passes available in September after year suspension

Railways stopped selling Suica and Pasmo in 2023 due to chip shortage

23 August 2024
Members of the Sri Lankan military board a smuggling ship as part of a training exercise on maritime crime near Trincomalee. (Photo by Takayuki Tanaka)
Indo-Pacific

Indo-Pacific nations embrace U.N. exercises to fight maritime crime

China provocations contribute to growing interest in boosting security

23 August 2024
Demand for machine tools has been strong in China and North America, but has sputtered in Europe and Japan. (Photo by Takuro Hosoda)
Business trends

Japan machine tool orders rise in July on Chinese demand

Exports buoyed by Beijing's subsidies, offsetting weak home market

23 August 2024
Japan's Financial Services Agency will tighten disclosure requirements surrounding cross-shareholdings. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Equities

Japan looks to keep companies honest about cross-shareholding cuts

Tighter disclosure rules aim to keep shares from being repurposed in name only

23 August 2024
MUFG Bank previously invested 19.1 billion rupees in DMI Finance in 2023.
Finance

Japan's MUFG Bank to invest additional $330m in India's DMI Finance

Financial group builds on 2023 stake as partnership progresses

22 August 2024
Nippon Steel and JFE Steel will buy stakes in Whitehaven's Blackwater coal mine in Australia to secure supplies of high-grade coking coal. (Nippon Steel)
Business deals

Nippon Steel, JFE Steel to invest $1bn in Australian coal mine

Japanese steelmakers want higher quality coking coal to cut CO2 emissions

22 August 2024
Japanese companies' strong earnings during the April-June period encouraged investors to buy while their stock prices were down. (Photo by Shunsuke Inaba)
Equities

Japanese stocks erase losses from tailspin on brighter U.S. outlook

Companies' strong April-June performances boost share prices

22 August 2024
Part of a treated water dilution and discharge facility at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex is pictured during a tour for foreign media in August 2023. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS
Environment

Operator halts attempt to extract melted fuel from Fukushima nuclear plant

Would have marked first such attempt since devastating 2011 quake and tsunami

22 August 2024
Big Japanese department stores have benefited from tourists' luxury shopping. (Photo by Haruka Kadooka)
Consumer

Chinese tourists buying Gucci make Japan exception to global luxury slump

International shoppers reap fruits of weak yen at Tokyo department stores

22 August 2024
The global chip market grew 18.3% in the second quarter. (Photo by Masayuki Kozono)
Semiconductors

AI-fueled demand buoys semiconductor market while legacy chips lag

Materials suppliers and producers in mature sectors left behind in current upcycle

22 August 2024
Seven & i Holdings, which operates the 7-Eleven convenience store chain, is one of Japan's leading retailers.
Business deals

Seven & i's proposed buyout to require preapproval by Japan

Foreign investment rules could hinder Couche-Tard's bid for 7-Eleven parent

22 August 2024
Ticket machines at Ben Thanh Station on Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line No. 1 are waiting to be used. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Transportation

Vietnam's first subway mired in more delays amid planned 2024 start

Hitachi files for arbitration over Ho Chi Minh City payments in Japan-led project

22 August 2024
E-cigarettes or vapes are becoming an increasingly popular option for smokers around the world.
Business deals

Japan Tobacco sets sights on e-cigarette push with U.S. Vector deal

$2.4bn acquisition to accelerate investment into growing market

22 August 2024
Panasonic has announced plans to invest 45 billion yen in its Czech factory to increase heat pump production capacity. (Photo obtained by Nikkei)
Electronics

Daikin, Panasonic invest in cooling European heat pump market

Despite setbacks, demand for energy-saving tech still seen rising in long run

21 August 2024
Neither Astellas nor Japan's Foreign Ministry disclosed what charges the employee has been indicted on.
Companies

Japan drugmaker Astellas says employee indicted by China prosecutors

Man has been detained since March 2023 on suspicion of espionage

21 August 2024
Japan's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara spoke with Nikkei in New Delhi on Aug. 20. (Photo by Satoshi Iwaki)
Interview

Japan calls for 'integrated joint exercise' with India

Defense Minister Kihara seeks tighter military relations between two nations

21 August 2024
Japan Tobacco is expanding its global presence with the acquisition of America's Vector Group.
Companies

Japan Tobacco to buy U.S. tobacco maker Vector Group for $2.4bn

JT-backed company to launch a tender offer at $15 per share

21 August 2024
Departures: Japan's Fumio Kishida, Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, and Srettha Thavisin of Thailand. (Source photos by Wataru Ito and Reuters)
Opinion

Rash of departing Asian PMs shows how parochial politics stifles economies

Region's leaders need to draw lessons from departures in Japan, Thailand and Bangladesh

21 August 2024
A container terminal at the Port of Tokyo. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Trade

Japan's exports grew in July on semiconductors and weak yen

Overseas shipments rose 10.3%; imports also up 16.6%

21 August 2024
Supporters of the French far-right National Rally party react at the party's election-night headquarters on June 9 in Paris.
The Nikkei View

Global election results show importance of functioning democracy

Growing populism, confusion could benefit authoritarian regimes

21 August 2024
Construction of hydrogen production facilities is underway in Utah. (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries)
Energy

Mitsubishi Heavy, Chevron eye U.S. green hydrogen launch in 2025

Utah project to produce, store and generate power from fuel made with renewables

21 August 2024
Toyota Tsusho is planning to supply biofuels and green hydrogen to Patimban Port in Indonesia. (Photo obtained by Nikkei)
Energy

Japan's Toyota Tsusho to develop and supply biofuels in Indonesia

Trader will work with state-run Pertamina to support decarbonization efforts

21 August 2024
The Lexus LF-ZC, an EV set to be released in 2026, will use gigacasting for parts. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Electric vehicles

Toyota to test Tesla-style EV gigacasting machine at Japan plant

Automaker taps cutting-edge production process in bid to lower costs

21 August 2024
Alimentation Couche-Tard has expanded its convenience store network in Canada under the brand name Couche-Tard.
Retail

Seven & i potential buyer Couche-Tard is skilled M&A tactician

Canadian company's buyout of Japanese 7-Eleven parent would be its biggest yet

21 August 2024