TAIPEI -- The global memory chip supply crunch could last much longer than expected as China and the U.S. race to build up their AI infrastructure, according to the CEO of key chip and storage solution provider Phison Electronics.

TOKYO -- The yen on Thursday weakened past a psychologically significant threshold of 160 to the dollar, at one point sinking to the lowest level in 21 months as fears over a prolonged war in the Middle East prompted investors to seek out safe haven assets like the the greenback.

PALO ALTO, California -- Meta reported upbeat quarterly results Wednesday after the bell with 33% year-over-year revenue growth, but investors questioned a ramp up on AI spending with annual capital expenditure guidance rises.

TOKYO -- Japan is poised to raise defense spending, but is not trimming in other areas to adjust for the increase, unlike France, Australia and others that are making cuts elsewhere to boost military budgets.

SAO PAULO -- The Brazilian government will enact a comprehensive ban against insurance policies covering farmland cultivated in illegally deforested fields, in an effort to ensure the preservation of the Amazon rainforest.

TOKYO -- Japanese consumer goods manufacturers like Kao and Ajinomoto are stepping up the production of semiconductor materials, using their know-how from far-flung fields to benefit from the artificial intelligence boom.

TOKYO -- Japan will allow kei minicars to be used as taxis starting in June, a move designed to encourage more women to sign on as taxi drivers.

TOKYO -- Asia-focused investment group PAG plans to deploy even more capital in Japan, positioning itself to jump on real estate sold off by listed companies, according to cofounder and President Jon-Paul Toppino.

TOKYO -- The Asian Development Bank will provide disaster insurance alongside funding for infrastructure projects in Southeast Asian nations as early as next year, aiming to ease economic losses as climate risks mount, Nikkei has learned.