Thrifting boom in Thailand spurs Japanese retailers to expand store sizes
Second‑hand fashion is gaining traction among Thai shoppers, driven by cost‑savings and sustainability appeal. Japanese clothing chains are responding by increasing the size of their Thai outlets to accommodate the growi...
Anthropic seeks competitor partnerships to tackle AI data‑center capacity crunch
AI startup Anthropic is reaching out to rival firms to share resources and ease pressure on its data‑center capacity, which is straining the training of large language models. The move, reported by Nikkei Asia, reflects ...
LyondellBasell chair says people are bottleneck to AI‑driven efficiency gains
LyondellBasell’s chair warned that people, not technology, are the main bottleneck to achieving AI‑driven efficiency gains. He stressed that without upskilling the workforce, firms cannot fully capitalize on artificial‑i...
Japan's moonshot nuclear‑fusion project finds practical earthbound applications
Japan’s nuclear‑fusion programme, originally billed as a moonshot project, is now being applied to terrestrial uses, including industrial processes and power generation, reports Nikkei Asia. Researchers say the technolog...
Swiss Energy Firm CEO Questions Viability of a Global Nuclear Power Renaissance
In an interview, the chief executive of a Swiss energy company expressed skepticism about a resurgence of nuclear power globally, citing cost, waste management, and public acceptance challenges. While some countries cont...
Japan’s Asahi Breweries Expands Internationally Using By‑products of Beer Production
Asahi Group Holdings of Japan announced a strategy to expand overseas by leveraging by‑products of its beer‑brewing process, such as spent grain, for animal feed and bio‑fuel. The move aims to create new revenue streams ...
Asian Stock Markets Rise as Trump Signals Hopeful Outlook for Iran Nuclear Deal
Asian equity markets rallied after former US President Donald Trump hinted at a more optimistic stance toward a revived Iran nuclear deal, suggesting US willingness to re‑engage. The comment boosted investor sentiment, p...
AI Expected to Power Large‑Scale M&A Deals Despite Ongoing Iran‑Related Concerns
A report outlines how artificial intelligence will drive megadeals in global mergers and acquisitions, even as investors remain wary of Iran‑related geopolitical risks. AI tools are expected to accelerate due diligence, ...
Japanese University to Exclude Alternative Assets from $3 Billion Endowment
A leading Japanese university announced it will steer clear of alternative‑asset investments for its roughly $3 billion endowment, citing concerns over volatility and a desire for more transparent, traditionally‑based ho...
Samsung Union Signals Openness to Avoid Strike if Pay Transparency Granted
The labor union representing Samsung workers said it is willing to forgo a strike, provided the company commits to greater pay‑transparency measures. Negotiations are ongoing as the union pushes for clearer compensation ...
Sony to Acquire Music Catalog from Blackstone with Singapore’s GIC Participation
Sony Group announced a deal to purchase a major music catalog from Blackstone, with Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC joining as a co‑investor. The acquisition aims to expand Sony’s music‑rights portfolio in the stre...
Honda and Toyota Report Sharp Sales Declines in China Amid Growing Competition
Japanese automakers Honda and Toyota disclosed significant drops in Chinese sales as domestic rivals and new entrants intensify market competition. Both companies are reevaluating strategies to regain footholds in China’...
Panama Canal Oil Shipments Jump 70% as Asian Buyers Shift to U.S. Crude
Oil cargoes transiting the Panama Canal surged by 70 percent, driven by Asian refiners increasingly sourcing U.S. crude. The shift reflects changing price dynamics and supply‑chain adjustments in global oil markets....
International Criminal Court Confirms Arrest Warrant for Duterte Ally
The ICC validated an arrest warrant targeting a close associate of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, citing alleged human‑rights violations. The move adds diplomatic pressure on the Philippines regarding accou...
Japanese Developers Warn New Condo Delays Risked by Ongoing Iran War
Real‑estate developers in Japan cautioned that construction timelines for new condominiums could face setbacks due to supply‑chain disruptions linked to the war in Iran. They highlighted rising material costs and logisti...
Japan Boosts Cybersecurity for Infrastructure After Anthropic’s Mythos Launch
The launch of Anthropic’s new large‑language model Mythos has prompted Japanese authorities to strengthen cybersecurity measures across critical infrastructure. Officials say the advanced capabilities of the AI raise con...
Canon to Close Philippine Laser Printer Plant Amid Falling Demand
Canon announced it will shut down its laser printer manufacturing facility in the Philippines by year‑end as demand for laser printers declines sharply. The company cited a shift toward digital workflows and heightened c...
Philippine Congress Overwhelmingly Votes to Impeach Vice President Sara Duterte
In a historic session, lawmakers in the Philippines voted overwhelmingly to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte on charges related to alleged abuse of power and corruption. The move follows months of investigations by th...
Calbee Switches to Black‑and‑White Packaging Amid Iran Ink Shortage
Japanese snack maker Calbee has changed the design of its product packaging to a plain black‑and‑white scheme due to an ink shortage triggered by the war in Iran. The company says the temporary measure will last until su...
Alphabet Plans First Yen‑Denominated Bond Issue
Alphabet, the parent of Google, is set to issue its inaugural bond denominated in Japanese yen, aiming to tap the domestic investor market. The offering, expected to total around $1 billion, reflects growing demand for f...