NEW DELHI -- India's push for a roughly $10 billion infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island is drawing renewed attention as New Delhi seeks to strengthen its strategic and logistical presence on the eastern edge of the Indian Ocean.
WTO says re-globalization key to avoiding choke points, major power impact
TOKYO -- The head of the World Trade Organization has called for countries to "re-globalize" to reduce the risks of impacts from choke points and major powers, even as the multilateral trade order that it upholds has increasingly come under strain.
In Lee's hometown, Japan and South Korea seek to deepen thaw
ANDONG, South Korea -- The leaders of Japan and South Korea are set to meet on Tuesday for their second summit this year, as they seek to continue a period of uncommon cordiality in a historically rocky bilateral relationship.
Japan economy grows annualized 2.1% in Jan-March, beating estimates
TOKYO -- Japan's economy grew 0.5% in January-March from the preceding three months, or at an annualized pace of 2.1%, Cabinet Office data showed on Tuesday, higher than market expectations.
Vietnam dairy giant invests in US after securing patent
HO CHI MINH CITY -- Vietnamese dairy giant Nutifood said it will invest in the U.S., expand a farm and leverage a newly obtained nutritional patent.
Japan's once-affordable used cars threatened by soaring prices, weak yen
TOKYO -- Japan exported a record number of used cars last year due to high demand spurred on by the weak yen, even as it becomes harder to find affordable secondhand vehicles within the country.
China's empty, unfinished skyscrapers find new lease on life
HONG KONG -- Some failed or abandoned skyscrapers in China are seeing new life under revitalization plans that use real estate investment trusts or other means to recoup investments, though demand prospects can remain uncertain in the country's tough property market.
Philippine digital banks struggle to find their mojo
MANILA -- Andrew Andora, a 30-something software engineer based in Cavite, 15 kilometers southwest of Manila, said he maintains accounts with traditional local banks for their vast ATM networks and broader stability, but has shifted his savings to several of the six digital lenders.
The primary hook is interest rates for savings accounts reaching as high as 5%. This dwarfs the less than 1% offered by traditional banks across the Southeast Asian nation.
“So far, so good -- although sometimes it is worrisome
Japan kicks into high gear steering Iran war oil shock response
TOKYO -- On the second floor of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry headquarters here is a low-key but important part of the Japanese response to the oil and petrochemical supply struggles it has faced since the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.
Patience pays off in Sumitomo Forestry's $4.2bn deal for US homebuilder
TOKYO -- Japanese homebuilder Sumitomo Forestry was able to strike a $4.2 billion deal to take over U.S. peer Tri Pointe Homes (TPH) through persistent engagement with the target.