Japan
Beijing raises stakes in economic clash with Tokyo
Beijing expanded its economic pressure campaign against Tokyo in late June, imposing immediate outbound trade limits on 40 Japanese enterprises and state-run scientific bodies.
Tokyo's Treasury time bomb
At the centre of the issue is scale. Japan holds around $1.2 - $1.24 trillion in US government debt, a figure almost double the amount held by neighbouring China – itself locked into a protracted sell-off of the same US Treasuries in recent months.
Square watermelons - only in Japan
The watermelons are grown inside transparent square containers fitted with metal frames once the fruit reaches a certain stage of development.
Iran could regain four key Asian oil markets if US sanctions lifted
Iran could once again rely on four major Asian markets, China, India, Japan and South Korea, for its crude oil exports if banking sanctions are lifted, a former senior official at the National Iranian Oil Co. (NIOC) said.
Strong quake shakes central Japan near Mt Fuji
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said no abnormalities had been detected at nuclear facilities, including Chubu Electric Power's Hamaoka nuclear power plant.
Japan hit by M6.9 earthquake
Northern Japan has faced constant seismic activity recently. A magnitude 6.3 quake hit the Tohoku region in May, while a magnitude 7.7 event struck the area in April.
COMMENT: Iran war shows why Asia must quit fossil fuels
Across Asia, governments are now accelerating approvals for renewable projects and grid modernisation schemes. Battery storage investments are making headlines almost daily.
Toyota launches EV sport utility vehicle bZ4X in Kenya, following South Africa and Morocco rollouts
Toyota has launched the fully electric bZ4X in Kenya, extending its gradual rollout of battery electric vehicles across Africa after earlier introductions in Morocco in April and South Africa last month.
Foreign visitor arrivals to Japan down by 3.6% in May
Tourism from China fell for a sixth straight month, dropping 60.4% year on year to 313,000. The decline followed remarks last November by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Japan’s potential involvement in a Taiwan-related contingency
Bank of Japan lifts rates 25 basis points to 31-year high
The move had been widely anticipated and followed rate increases by the European Central Bank and Indonesia’s central bank last week after the conflict fuelled higher prices and economic disruption worldwide.
Asia welcomes Iran-US breakthrough, but caution remains
The tentative peace agreement between the United States and Iran has been greeted with a mixture of relief and caution across much of East and Southeast Asia, a region that has borne more than its fair share of the economic fallout of late.
UK, Japan seal $24bn investment and tech partnership
More than 10 trade agreements were signed in total. These included an offshore wind farm project.
Taiwan curbs advanced AI chip trade with China
The policy shift highlights Taiwan's delicate geopolitical position, where the necessity to secure its vital semiconductor monopoly and appease Western partners must be balanced against the commercial realities of its massive cross-strait trade.
Inside the growing speculation around Kim Jong Un’s daughter as heir apparent
According to various intelligence sources, Kim Ju-ae is understood to be the daughter of Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol-ju, although North Korea has never formally confirmed her full biographical details.
Japan’s NTT launches $500mn fund to expand IOWN communications network worldwide
IOWN, or Innovative Optical and Wireless Network, is designed to enable large-volume data communications with low latency and lower power consumption.
Philippines quake leaves at least 15 dead and 129 injured
Several countries across the region, including the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan, issued tsunami warnings following the quake, although most have since been lifted.
M7.8 Philippines earthquake triggers tsunami warning across Asia
The tremor struck at 7:37 am at a depth of 33 km, with its epicentre located 32 km south of Maasim.