• Editor's Picks

Editor's Picks

17 January 2026
Yau Yiu-wai stands in front of Sun Ngai Shing (New Art City), the Hong Kong umbrella shop he ran for 45 years before closing the business in December. (All photos by Kelly Yu)
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, left, and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. (Source photos by Mayumi Tsumita and Ken Kobayashi)
16 January 2026
Worrying trends in corporate governance are seen in the U.S., U.K. and Europe, according to ICGN CEO Jen Sisson. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Jada Nagumo and screenshot from ICGN's website) 
Markets

Corporate governance trends signal 'split world,' says ICGN head

Investor-based group sees positive developments in Japan as code revision approaches

16 January 2026
Xi Jinping's pressure tactics have boomeranged on the Chinese president, providing Sanae Takaichi with an issue she intends to showcase in front of voters. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Ken Suzuki and Reuters)
China up close

Analysis: China's tough stance backfires, boosting Japan PM's popularity

Emboldened by high approval rating, Sanae Takaichi intends to call a snap election

15 January 2026
Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat speaks to Nikkei Asia during an interview in Chiang Mai on Jan. 10. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Interview

Pheu Thai aims for 200 seats in next month's poll, Thaksin's nephew says

Party wants to use AI to better identify people eligible for key policy cash handout

14 January 2026
A Citizen store in the U.S., where the Attesa brand is selling particularly well. (Citizen)
Consumer

Citizen eyes fiscal 2027 for overseas rollout of high-end watch brand: CEO

US shoppers 'willing to spend' when stock market does well, Yoshitaka Oji says

14 January 2026
While around half of the construction and mining products Komatsu sells in the U.S. are built there, a large share of the parts for its general construction equipment, such as hydraulic excavators, is sourced from Asia. (Photo by Shuhei Yamada)
Interview

Komatsu to keep raising prices as hit from US tariffs doubles: CFO

Japan construction equipment maker expects $520m profit boost from hikes in fiscal 2025

14 January 2026
Building construction and other infrastructure development is growing in Africa, raising demand for higher-performance power tools. (Makita)
Companies

Japan's Makita targets power tool sales in Africa, South America

Construction boom in emerging markets brings opportunity amid US, Europe slowdowns

13 January 2026
Hajime Moriyasu, who will be leading Japan at the World Cup in 2026, holds a banner reading, “Let’s see best view.” He said in an recent interview there is "nothing we can't do" as a team. (Photo by Hideto Motoike)
Sports

Japan wants World Cup win by 2050; taking 1st step this summer

National team manager Moriyasu says self-sacrifice has lifted the squad

11 January 2026
A view of Shibuya Station in 2025 from Shibuya QWS. Redevelopment of Shibuya will have a ripple effect that will continue to be felt well beyond 2040. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Construction

Shibuya's redevelopment is 'not even halfway' complete, developer says

President of the Tokyu conglomerate compares the project to Barcelona's unfinished Sagrada Familia

10 January 2026
Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said China's ability to control rare earth supplies creates uncertainty for Japanese businesses. (Photo by Manami Yamada)
Interview

Japan needs to take away China's power to 'weaponize' rare earths: finance minister

Exclusive: Katayama envisions creating market of democracies with US, Europe

10 January 2026
U.S. Federal Trade Commissioner Mark Meador worked at the Justice Department during President Donald Trump's first term. (Photo by Ryohei Yasoshima)
Trump administration

Trump's FTC will block M&A that would raise 'cost of living': commissioner

Trade regulator official says government intervention needed at times for fair competition

9 January 2026
China is Venezuela's largest importer of oil. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)
9 January 2026
Viswas Raghavan, head of banking at Citigroup, recently spoke with Nikkei. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura)
Interview

Citi plans 'significant' investment, hiring in Japan: banking head

Raghavan cites country's M&A surge, 'powerful middle market'

9 January 2026
Xi Jinping must now prepare to host his humilator in Beijing in April, a plan that, because of China's long-stalled economy, will not be easy to cancel. (Nikkei montage/ Source photos by Yusuke Hinata and Reuters)
China up close

Analysis: Xi Jinping in a bind after Trump's Venezuela raid

Chinese leader loses face but needs US as he nurses a long-ailing economy

8 January 2026
TDK President and CEO Noboru Saito: 'The progress and development of the AI ecosystem that drives society's transformation is not going to change.'
Artificial intelligence

Japan's TDK sharpens AI focus with smart glasses, data center parts

CEO says key question is how steep growth will be, not whether it continues

7 January 2026
Nepalese girls pose in traditional Japanese attire during the Japan Day festival in Kathmandu in March 2024. The two countries share a long and friendly relationship.
Tea Leaves

Sayonara Kathmandu, namaste Tokyo: Gen Z Nepalis head to Japan

Higher wages, safety and stability beckon disaffected youth

7 January 2026
The El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Refining Venezuela petroleum in Japan presents hurdles considering that the crude oil is heavy and high in sulfur content.
Interview

Venezuela oil 'difficult to use' in Japan refineries: Idemitsu chairman

Kito sees no direct impact on crude oil procurement from US military action

7 January 2026
Muhammed Aziz Khan, founder and chairman of Bangladesh's Summit Group, speaks during an online interview in December.
Interview

Bangladesh energy group Summit to develop its 1st data center

Fiber network unit offers advantage but planned gas challenges national climate goals

6 January 2026
A busy thoroughfare in Changsha, Hunan province. Aeon sees promise in such inland provinces, with more room for economic growth than coastal areas. (Photo by Kohei Fujimura)
Interview

China's consumer appetite still high despite tough economy: Aeon China head

Executive for Japanese retailer says Chinese shoppers are focusing more on quality

3 January 2026
In business and tech, AI and EVs will be in the spotlight again following last year's booms. 
2 January 2026
The leaders of Japan's main business lobbies. From left: Akio Yamaguchi, Yoshinobu Tsutsui and Ken Kobayashi. (Nikkei montage)
Interview

Japan business chiefs hope for stronger yen as import costs rise

Keidanren leader, others anticipate wage hikes, moderate economic growth in 2026

2 January 2026
The Hondajet had a successful test flight powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel. (Honda Aircraft)
Interview

Next-gen HondaJet to take off on green fuel for efficiency: top engineer

Successful test flight helped to assess performance from various aspects

1 January 2026
Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki says the company's high production goals in India are "uncharted territory." (Photo by Mitsutoshi Masuno)
Automobiles

Suzuki will change the way it sells vehicles in India: president

Automaker eyes adding financing options as consumers go up value chain

1 January 2026
Biotech firm Insilico Medicine leverages artificial intelligence for drug discovery. "We want to convert our customer base not only from pharma to other companies, but we also want to make large language model companies more intelligent," its founder says. (Insilico Medicine)
Interview

Eli Lilly-backed Insilico eyes beyond pharma with new AI models

Biotech company shares jumped 46% in $300m Hong Kong debut

31 December 2025
Itochu Chairman and CEO Masahiro Okafuji said he hopes to keep working for now but has several potential successors in mind. (Photo by Nikkei)
Interview

Japanese companies still have chance in China: Itochu CEO

Trading house chief cites restaurants, sports goods as areas of opportunity

31 December 2025
Taiwan's coast guard conducts a drill simulating the seizure of a ferry by "international terrorists," in Kaohsiung in June. The force is a key part of Taipei's efforts to deter China, which has again launched major military exercises in Taiwan's surrounding waters.
Interview

Taiwan's minister for seas upgrades coast guard as China runs war games

Kuan Bi-ling seeks regional cooperation against maritime 'harassment'

30 December 2025
Drawn-out negotiations with the U.S. government culminated in Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel in June.
Interview

US economy expected to improve in 2026: Nippon Steel president

Revival of U.S. Steel will require training skilled professionals, says Imai

30 December 2025
Mizuho Financial Group President Masahiro Kihara expressed a hope of helping Japanese companies increasingly active in India. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Interview

Mizuho may reach 10% ROE target in fiscal 2025, 2 years early: president

Japan financial group looks to build up cross-border M&A advisory role

30 December 2025
Asahi Group Holdings President and CEO Atsushi Katsuki sees Africa as a key pillar of growth.  (Photo by Shihoko Nakaoka)
Interview

Japan's Asahi to explore brewing Super Dry beer in Africa: CEO

Newly acquired African business to reach scale of Europe operations, Katsuki says

28 December 2025