India, Indonesia Deepen Ties as Both Countries Struggle to Boost Manufacturing

TOKYO — A clock that had long stood still has begun to tick again between two of Asia’s great powers. The recent high-level meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi…

The Entry of TSMC into Kyushu Ignites a Semiconductor Renaissance on Japan’s "Silicon Island"

The arrival of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) in Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu has catalyzed a significant expansion of the nation’s semiconductor industry, transforming the region into a vibrant…

China-U.S. Container Freight Rates Surge to Two-Year High as Holiday Season Rush Meets Tariff Fears

Spot freight rates for container ships traversing the crucial China-to-U.S. shipping lanes have ascended to their loftiest point in almost two years, a dramatic escalation driven by a dual surge…

Xi Jinping Urges Developing Nations to Unite on AI to Bridge Global Tech Divide at Shanghai World AI Conference

TOKYO — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday issued a compelling call for enhanced collaboration among developing nations in the realm of artificial intelligence, articulating a vision aimed at diminishing…

Olympus Pivots to Robotic Endoscopy, Signalling Shift in Surgical Workloads

Japan’s Olympus, a venerable name in medical imaging and diagnostics, is poised to revolutionize the field of endoscopic surgery, traditionally a hands-on, physician-driven discipline. The company envisions a future where…

Japanese Companies Face Over 20% Surge in Rare Earth Procurement Costs Amidst China’s Export Curbs

The cost of procuring rare earths among Japanese companies has jumped by more than a fifth since last year, a private-sector survey shows, reflecting the impact of China’s export restrictions.…

Japan’s Ultrafast Maglev Train Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Local Approval Sparks Urgency for Completion and Economic Returns

NAGOYA, Japan — The long-awaited green light for the next phase of Japan’s ambitious Linear Chuo Shinkansen maglev train project, following local approval in Yamanashi Prefecture, has reignited a critical…

Japanese Wireless Carrier KDDI Partners with VNPT to Launch Prepaid Brand in Vietnam Targeting Younger Consumers

Japanese wireless carrier KDDI is set to make a significant expansion into the burgeoning Southeast Asian market by launching a new mobile service in Vietnam later this year. The venture,…

Mitsubishi Estate Acquires Singapore-Based Habyt to Expand Mid- to Long-Term Rental Housing in Asia

TOKYO — Mitsubishi Estate has announced its strategic acquisition of Habyt, a prominent Singapore-based operator of furnished rental housing, signaling a significant acceleration of its global expansion strategy targeting the…

U.S. Military Leverages Advanced AI in Escalating Iran Conflict

TOKYO — The United States military has significantly amplified its reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in its ongoing military operations against Iran, deploying sophisticated AI-driven systems for a wide spectrum…