China carbon prices near record high as regulations tighten
TOKYO -- China's carbon allowances are trading in record-high territory as the country's biggest polluters scramble to buy emissions credits amid tightening government regulations.
Nikkei staff writer in asian news
'Blank vote' arouses controversy in India's general election
NEW DELHI -- The casting of blank ballots is becoming an issue in the general election underway for the lower house of India's parliament, a vote that will determine the political direction of the world's most populous nation for the next five years.
Toyota stock slumps despite weaker yen and record profit
TOKYO -- Toyota's share price has slipped about 10% in the past six weeks even as the yen has weakened, running counter to the conventional wisdom that a softer currency helps to buoy Japanese stocks.
Yen's fall highlights Japan's overreliance on overseas tech giants
TOKYO -- The weak yen has highlighted Japan's economic vulnerability, as its industries depend heavily on cloud servers provided by overseas Big Tech companies such as Amazon.
Weak yen sends central Tokyo condo resale prices soaring
TOKYO -- The prices of used condos in central Tokyo are soaring as foreign investors pile into the market, lured by the cheap yen's ability to make property in the Japanese capital look like a bargain despite decade-old units fetching three times what they originally sold for.
Coffee's 'third wave' gathers pace in Jakarta
JAKARTA -- On a recent visit to a Jakarta cafe, I ordered ice-brewed coffee, known as kopi in Indonesia's national language. Fighting the urge to swallow quickly, I let the black liquid lie in my mouth for a while. Gradually, it released hints of citrus, jasmin and rose -- coffee flavors that embody Indonesia's cultural, linguistic, ethnic and geographical complexity.
Itochu character goods affiliate to expand into Southeast Asia
TOKYO -- Itochu is expanding its animation and character goods businesses, having acquired exclusive rights to promote the popular Nordic character Moomin in Southeast Asia and greater China.
Japan's tatami makers lay foundation for overseas sales
TOKYO -- Tatami, a traditional Japanese flooring material made from woven igusa rush grass, is gaining popularity abroad, as people who discover its charm while visiting Japan or at Japanese restaurants overseas are introducing it into their lives. Tatami shops are exporting products in various shapes that can fit irregular floor layouts.