TAIPEI -- Apple is encountering setbacks in the engineering test phase of its first ever foldable iPhone, which could lead to delays in its mass production and product shipment schedule, Nikkei Asia has learned.

SAMUT SAKHON, Thailand -- "This is worse than COVID. During COVID, the oil price was still acceptable and the ships could still go out working on their own, catching fish, bringing it in. But, now it's very difficult for us to go out fishing," Nakorn Harnkrivilai, chair of the Samut Sakhon Chamber of Commerce, told Nikkei Asia as he ate a plate of crab fried rice.

SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics' first-quarter profit surged a stronger-than-expected 755% on the year, though the conflict in the Middle East is clouding the company's outlook.

MUMBAI -- The Indian rupee, which was the worst performing major Asian currency in 2025 due to massive outflows of foreign funds, is being further battered by the energy price shock from the Iran war, dropping 3.5% against the U.S. dollar so far this year.

TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Motors will begin producing hybrid vehicles in the Philippines in mid-2028, the Japanese automaker announced Monday, adding new models in an effort to defend its market share in the country as Chinese brands gain ground in Southeast Asia.

NAHA, Japan -- A hotel operator based in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa is starting a business to place skilled foreign workers in the labor-starved accommodation and food service industries, aiming to dispatch 200 people by fiscal 2028.

NEW YORK -- Robotaxis are beginning to transform competition in the auto industry, upsetting the field's traditional pyramid structure that was topped by finished-vehicle makers.

TOKYO -- During parliamentary deliberations about the budget for fiscal 2026, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's attendance in hearings is down roughly 40% from that of her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba.

TOKYO -- Digital wallet developer HashPort will enable a restaurant chain to accept payments in Japanese yen stablecoin, a move expected to help drive wider adoption of this type of cryptocurrency in Japan.