Indonesia election, Japan H3 rocket launch, Kakao earnings
Welcome to Your Week in Asia.
Indonesia holds its presidential election this week, as the nation decides on its leader for the nextfive years. A day later, Japan will release gross domestic product figures for the October-December period. Asia's second-largest economy will, the same day, witness the launch of its H3 next-generation rocket into space.
Some financial markets are closed for the Lunar New Year holidays, but stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Taipei are set to reopen.
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WEDNESDAY
Indonesians vote in presidential election
Indonesians will elect the country's next president on Wednesday, determining the direction of the world's fourth-most-populous nation for the next five years. Three candidates -- Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo and former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan -- are vying to replace two-term President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. Wednesday's vote is the fifth since the Southeast Asian country began democratic reforms in 1998.
Hong Kong Exchange reopens after Lunar New Year holiday
Earnings: Sony
THURSDAY
Indonesia hosts international motor show
More than 20 carmakers will take part in the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS). The event, which is being held in Jakarta, starts Thursday. Exhibitors from Japan include Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and others. Japanese manufacturers hold a market share of around 80% in Southeast Asia but are struggling to stay in the race to offer electric vehicles. Their South Korean rival Hyundai, which already has an EV plant in Indonesia, as well as China's BYD and Vietnam's VinFast will also show off their cars at the show.