North America

Biden has called himself the most pro-union president in U.S. history.
Business deals

Biden hails union workers, says open to review of U.S. Steel deal

Acquisition by Nippon Steel comes at awkward time for president in swing states

23 December 2023
Natural diamonds are losing market share to less-costly synthetic stones.
Commodities

Diamonds lose sparkle in U.S. and China, sending prices to 14-year low

Inflation-hit consumers more likely to buy synthetic stones now

23 December 2023
If lecanemab proves safe and effective as a preventative treatment for Alzheimer's disease, it could help to lower medical and nursing care costs around the world.
Pharmaceuticals

Eisai seeks expanded use of Alzheimer's drug for prevention

Leqembi in final trial as Japan drugmaker plans 2026 application for U.S. approval

22 December 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, with Henry Kissinger in Beijing in 2018: A lingering Kissingerian mindset still crimps U.S. policy toward an increasingly muscular China. (Pool via Reuters)
Opinion

Kissinger's corrosive legacy still weighs on U.S. policy in Asia

Strategy of aiding China's rise has come back to bite Washington and its allies

22 December 2023
Chairman Jin Roy Ryu of the Federation of Korean Industries speaks to reporters in Seoul on Dec. 21. (Photo courtesy of FKI)
International relations

South Korea business lobby seeks regular meetings with U.S., Japan

Chairman Jin Roy Ryu calls for talks on chip and EV supply chains

22 December 2023
An office building owned by China Aoyuan Group is under construction in Hong Kong.
China debt crunch

Chinese developer Aoyuan files for U.S. bankruptcy protection

Troubled company follows in footsteps of Evergrande and Sunac

22 December 2023
Nippon Steel's plan to buy U.S. Steel has hit home for lawmakers representing states where the storied American steelmaker is an employer.
Business deals

U.S. Steel takeover opposition sends wrong message to Japan: analysts

Nippon Steel's $14bn acquisition triggers harsh language against key ally

21 December 2023
The Japanese Self-Defense Forces conduct a drill involving Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles in August 2017.
Defense

Japan weighs allowing Patriot missile transfers to aid Ukraine

Rule change would give U.S. flexibility with arms requested to refill stockpile

21 December 2023
Panasonic said on Dec. 20 that it will drop its plan to build an EV battery plant in Oklahoma and will focus on a plant under construction in Kansas. (Photo by Atsushi Ooka)
Automobiles

Panasonic drops plan for EV battery factory in Oklahoma

Company plans to continue to expand business in North America

20 December 2023
Polls show a majority of young voters opposes U.S. President Joe Biden's stance on Israel.
Middle East crisis

Biden grapples to find right path on Gaza amid voter discontent

News media shift tone toward cease-fire, negotiated Hamas exit

20 December 2023
From left, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meet in San Francisco in November. The countries seek to bolster cooperation in the face of security challenges in East Asia.
Defense

U.S., Japan, South Korea start sharing missile information in real time

North Korean advances spur push for quicker, more accurate analysis

20 December 2023
India, the world's largest democracy, heads to the polls in 2024. The country is expected to continue its rise as an economic powerhouse.
Markets

India's ascent to continue as China slows: Wall Street 2024 forecast

Investors stay bullish on Japan despite anticipated monetary policy shift

20 December 2023
A Patriot missile defense system near the Defense Ministry in Tokyo. (Photo by Yoshiyuki Tamai)
Defense

Japan seen fulfilling U.S. request for Patriot missiles

Move would mark 1st lethal weapon shipment under rules adopted in 2014

20 December 2023
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda struck a balanced tone at the post-policy-meeting news conference Dec. 19 as the central bank moves toward an exit from easing. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Bank of Japan

BOJ's negative-rate exit may hinge on January, April inflation outlooks

With price growth looking stable, Japan central bank homes in on wages

20 December 2023
U.S. aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson displays America’s military might in Southeast Asia amid a spat between China and the Philippines in the region's disputed waters. (Photo by Dylan Loh)
Defense

U.S. aircraft carrier calls at Singapore as China, Philippines spar

Nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson projects might amid South China Sea dispute

19 December 2023
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the state of Maryland is one of the iconic pieces of American infrastructure made with supplies from U.S. Steel.
Business deals

U.S. Steel deal draws immediate heat from American lawmakers

Sen. John Fetterman vows to block 'outrageous' sale to Nippon Steel

19 December 2023
Nuclear plant construction is underway in emerging economies such as Bangladesh.
Energy

Nuclear power stocks hit highs on anticipated surge in demand

COP28 pledge and Japan reactor restarts signal return to energy source

19 December 2023
Nippon Steel plans to acquire American peer U.S. Steel. This deal is set to be one of the largest acquisitions ever by the Japanese steelmaker. (Source photos by Hirofumi Yamamoto and AP)
Business deals

Nippon Steel to buy U.S. Steel for over $14bn

Japanese steelmaker offers 40% premium for coveted American base

19 December 2023
Automotive engineers gather at Vietnam's biggest software company, FPT, whose auto business serves VinFast, LG and chipmakers, as well as several major automakers. (Photo courtesy of FPT)
Automobiles

Vietnam tech firm FPT adds Texas unit in $100m auto services push

Software giant counts Hyundai, VinFast, Volvo as clients as cars become computers on wheels

18 December 2023
The U.S. Air Force has been deploying the F-35 and other fighter jets in Okinawa as part of a rotational force. 
Defense

U.S. weighs returning smaller permanent fighter force to Okinawa

American lawmaker questions rational for downsizing as China threat grows

18 December 2023
Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach says the U.S. Air Force is stepping up construction at the Tinian North airfield, on the Pacific island of Tinian. (U.S. Air Force)
Interview

U.S. to reclaim WWII airfield in Pacific, clearing jungle by summer

Air force general hopes for more trilateral exercises with Japan, South Korea

17 December 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Nov. 15.
Taiwan elections

Xi's unification ambitions loom in Taiwan presidential vote

Island finds itself caught between Chinese and American interests

15 December 2023
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is laying out an agenda for next year intend to prevent misunderstandings with China.
US-China tensions

U.S. will focus on preventing escalation with China in 2024: Yellen

Treasury secretary plans 2nd trip to China to bolster communication

15 December 2023
JPMorgan Chase has experienced steady growth in its transaction banking business, in contrast to its struggling investment banking segment.
Finance

JPMorgan takes on Japan banks with fast foreign-currency transfers

U.S. banking group casts wider net for corporate clients with cash management

15 December 2023
The yen strengthened against the dollar on Dec. 14 in response to the results of the U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Currencies

Yen's fair value seen around 140 to dollar amid narrowing rate gap

Fed signals on cuts spur speculation of further strength in Japanese currency

15 December 2023