Japanese chip inspectors combat flood of fakes amid shortage

TOKYO -- A surge in counterfeit semiconductors entering the tight Japanese market has spawned a cottage industry of chip detectives.


China and ASEAN must set path to regional stability

Chinese President Xi Jinping's appearance at a special summit with ASEAN leaders on Monday underscored the importance placed on a region that has functioned as a shock absorber between great powers.


Apple Silicon|Intel

Apple taps TSMC to build custom iPhone 5G modem in 2023

TAIPEI -- Apple is forging a closer partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. in hopes of reducing its reliance on Qualcomm, Nikkei Asia has learned, with plans to have the Taiwanese chip titan make 5G iPhone modems from 2023.


Coronavirus latest: South Korea reaches another record high

Nikkei Asia is tracking the spread of the coronavirus that was first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

Cumulative global cases have reached 258,684,193, according to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The worldwide death toll has hit 5,164,874.

For more information about the spread of COVID-19 and vaccination progress around the world, please see our interactive charts and maps.

-- Global coronavirus tracker charts

-- Status of vaccinations around

Continue reading...

Intel

Samsung unveils $17bn investment for Texas chip plant

SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics on Wednesday announced it will invest $17 billion to build new foundry chip production lines in the U.S. state of Texas, as President Joe Biden pushes to bring more semiconductor manufacturing onshore.


Coronavirus latest: New Zealand to reopen borders on April 30

Nikkei Asia is tracking the spread of the coronavirus that was first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

Cumulative global cases have reached 258,684,193, according to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The worldwide death toll has hit 5,164,874.

For more information about the spread of COVID-19 and vaccination progress around the world, please see our interactive charts and maps.

-- Global coronavirus tracker charts

-- Status of vaccinations around

Continue reading...

EV batteries: Cheaper way to recycle material developed in Japan

TOKYO -- Sumitomo Metal Mining will start recycling cobalt, lithium and other key materials from used electric vehicle batteries, employing a cost-competitive proprietary process to extract high-grade metals.


U.S. scores small wins during trade czar's Indo-Pacific tour

NEW YORK -- U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai wrapped up her visit to the Indo-Pacific on Tuesday, a trip that aimed to lay the groundwork for a new trade order with like-minded countries.


New bank-deposit-backed digital currency set for Japan trials

TOKYO -- A new digital currency backed by bank deposits is set for a test run in Japan as early as this year under an effort involving the nation's top banks and about 70 other companies.


Singapore expects 3-5% growth in 2022 amid 'uneven' COVID rebound

SINGAPORE -- The Singaporean government on Wednesday forecast a growth rate of 3% to 5% for 2022, predicting a continued rebound from COVID-19 as global borders gradually reopen and domestic restrictions ease.