Amid surging labor demand in an AI boom, Vietnam aims to train at least 50,000 chip engineers and designers by 2030 as industry giants look to offset severe staff shortages in their home markets. (Illustration by Yoshiko Kawano)
The Big Story

Vietnam turns chip sector magnet with affordable, quality talent pool

US, Taiwan, South Korean players beat path to Vietnam though boom strains resources

14 August 2024
Japanese stocks have been in a downward spiral since Aug. 1, a day after the Bank of Japan aggressively raised interest rates to 0.25% from 0.1% and said it was open to more hikes this year. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Equities

Japan stocks dive 4,451 points, more than Black Monday in 1987

Yen surges to 141 per dollar as potential U.S. recession spooks investors

5 August 2024
Hotel staff assisted in clearing the Tianxiang parking lot to provide space for an emergency helicopter landing. (Photo by Jackie Chao)
Opinion

How a hotel became a mountain sanctuary during Taiwan's earthquake

Disaster showed the importance of community and self-sufficiency

2 August 2024
A street in Taipei. The Taiwanese economy performed better than expected in the second quarter.
Economy

Taiwan's Q2 GDP tops forecasts on AI boom

Economy grows more than 5% as full-year picture brightens

31 July 2024
In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, an aerial survey is conducted as part of an oil spill response operation in Manila Bay on July 25. The sinking of a tanker raised fears over a possible spill. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)
Natural disasters

Taiwan and Philippines lashed by typhoon, oil tanker sinks

Dozens killed in flooding and landslides as storm moves toward China

25 July 2024
Joseph Wu, Taiwan's previous foreign minister, left, and Filip Grzegorzewski, head of the European Union office in Taipei, commemorate 20 years of ties between the EU and Taiwan in Taipei in June 2023.
Opinion

Europe must prepare militarily and economically for a Taiwan war

Once merely aware of the risks, European leaders now have deep concerns

25 July 2024
Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai speaks with Nikkei Asia in an interview in Taipei. (Photo: Taiwan's Executive Yuan)
Interview

Taiwan's premier pushes $100bn economic reform, unfazed by opposition

Cho Jung-tai aims to capitalize on investor wariness of China

25 July 2024
Members of the media report near the shore as Typhoon Gaemi approaches in Keelung, Taiwan, on July 24.
Natural disasters

Typhoon Gaemi strengthens as it nears Taiwan, military on standby

War games curtailed, flights scrapped and financial markets suspended

24 July 2024
Containers are offloaded from the freighter Alula Express at South Korea's Busan Newport International Terminal, one of the largest container ports in the world.
Economy

Developing Asia's growth revised up by ADB as tech exports grow

Regional lender keeps forecasts for ASEAN economies, China, India unchanged

17 July 2024
Taiwan's newly appointed Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, left, stands with President-elect Lai Ching-te in April, ahead of Lai's inauguration. Lin is working to rev up Taipei's economic diplomacy, officials say. (Photo by AFP/Jiji)
International relations

Taiwan foreign minister steps up economic diplomacy under China pressure

Lin Chia-lung aims to establish overseas industrial zones, insiders say

11 July 2024
The Taipei skyline. Taiwan has inked an investment agreement with Thailand in a potential boost for business.
International relations

Taiwan announces Thailand investment deal, marking first pact under Lai

Move picks up where Tsai left off in diversifying economic ties away from China

28 June 2024
Some 50 years after the first modern-day Japanese convenience store opened in Tokyo, players like 7-Eleven need expansion in countries such as Thailand, pictured above, as their domestic market is set to shrink.
Business Spotlight

Japan's convenience store chains chase elixir of growth across Asia

Indonesia, Thailand, China in focus as retailers face aging, shrinking home market

7 June 2024
A cargo ship is docked at a port in Keelung, Taiwan, in January 2022. Taiwan and China signed a pact in 2010 that introduced favorable duties for both sides.
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan protests as China strips preferential tariffs on 134 products

Minister calls move a 'political maneuver' to pressure Taipei

31 May 2024
Lai Ching-te speaks at his inauguration on May 20: The new Taiwanese president urged China to "stop threatening" the island. (Photo by Hideaki Ryugen)
Opinion

Taiwan's economy should be Lai's first priority

Young workers disheartened by growing inequality, high home prices

22 May 2024
Cranes wait to pick up containers at Taiwan's Port of Kaohsiung. (Photo by Hideaki Ryugen)
Trade

Taiwan's export dependence on China drops to 22-year low

China's economic slowdown, shifting supply chains narrow share of exports

9 May 2024
Taiwanese on March 18, 2024 commemorate the Sunflower Movement, which has left a deep impression on the island's political life that will be felt by President-elect Lai Ching-te, set to be inaugurated May 20. (Photo by EPA=Jiji)
Asia Insight

Taiwan's Sunflower protest legacy looms large for incoming president Lai

New generations build pressure for change 10 years after movement paved way for DPP wins

30 April 2024
Stream article image
Natural disasters

NIKKEI Film: How people survived an earthquake in Japan

Examining the Noto tsunami through location data and personal accounts

28 April 2024
Containers at a port in northern Taiwan. Taipei's top trade negotiator says he hopes countries will "overcome their reluctance and be open to trade deals and trade talks with us." (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Interview

Taiwan trade czar seeks new deals, braces for possible Trump win

John Deng eyes India 'opportunity' after breakthroughs with U.S., U.K. and Canada

17 April 2024
Thailand has been courting foreign investment to grow its EV industry.
Automobiles

Thailand smiles at both Taiwan and China as it courts EV investment

Delta Electronics, BYD among companies betting on Southeast Asia's top auto producer

11 April 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will meet in Washington this week.
Your Week in Asia

Japan's Kishida visits Washington, Uniqlo parent earnings, China data

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

7 April 2024
Taiwan, home to TSMC and other important tech companies, was hit by a major earthquake on April 3. (Source photos by TSMC and Reuters)
Technology

Taiwan quake highlights risks and readiness of Asia's chip sector

Manufacturers apply lessons from past to keep industry humming

5 April 2024
Workers carry out operations at the partially collapsed Uranus Building in Hualien on April 4, the day after the Taiwanese city was hit by a major earthquake.
Natural disasters

Taiwan earthquake death toll rises to 10 as island's infrastructure tested

Rescuers scramble to reach survivors after most powerful temblor in 25 years

4 April 2024
People ride motorcycles near the site where a building collapsed, following the earthquake in Hualien, Taiwan, on April 4.
Natural disasters

Taiwan earthquake kills at least 9; TSMC plants recovering

World's top chipmaker reports no damage to most advanced equipment

4 April 2024
A damaged building in Hualien
Natural disasters

In pictures: Taiwan's biggest earthquake in decades

Emergency crews pull survivors from damaged buildings as island assesses the toll

3 April 2024