Cryptocurrencies
Thailand bans bitcoin, other crypto payments starting in April
Regulators seek to tamp down risk of cybertheft and money laundering
Consumer
Business deals
China's Fosun in $1.5bn deal to sell Lanvin fashion unit to SPAC
Conglomerate indicates uncertainty about whether transaction will add to profits
Coronavirus
Shanghai grapples with China's new COVID wave in echoes of 2020
Disneyland, shopping centers and cinemas feel pinch from restrictions
Food & Beverage
Kirin to export Fuji whisky to China, Australia in April
Distiller aims to expand spirits exports amid shrinking home market
Food & Beverage
Starbucks Japan ramps up drive against plastic waste
Coffee chain to offer more reusable cups, cutlery
Automobiles
Mitsubishi Motors sells former Pajero plant to Daio Paper
$34m deal for closed factory finishes automaker's post-Ghosn cost-cutting drive
Ukraine war
Uniqlo suspends Russia business, reversing earlier decision
Japan retailer cites operational challenges and worsening conflict
Food & Beverage
Japan sushi shops face seafood cost hike as Russia sanctions bite
'Scramble for crab' begins after airspace closed to Russian exports
Ukraine war
Russia blocks Facebook; 'fake news' law prompts BBC to halt reports
CNN and CBS to stop broadcasting in Russia as Putin wages war on Ukraine
Transportation
JAL helps Japan firms sell specialties to Chinese consumers
Cross-border e-commerce service via WeChat part of effort to revitalize regions
Food & Beverage
Suntory takes shot at spirits market in India, Southeast Asia
Japanese distiller looks to region's growing middle class for growth
Consumer
COVID deals blow to Japan's unique Valentine tradition
Women less likely to hand out 'obligation chocolates' to male coworkers on Feb. 14
Business trends
Be my virtuous valentine? Japan gets taste of sustainable chocolate
Eco-friendly ingredients and delivery drive latest products for annual holiday
Supply Chain
French fries, wine -- Asia food sector hit by supply chain crunch
Indonesia and Malaysia, like Japan, grapple with potato shortage
Consumer
Bangladesh finds backing for Japan Tobacco complaint against BAT
Competition regulator poised to extend probe of South Asia’s top cigarette market
Food & Beverage
McDonald's rivals take bite out of its Japan growth
Big Macs lose early pandemic advantage in takeout and delivery
Food & Beverage
Vending machines for frozen takeout take off in Japan
Shorter restaurant hours during COVID force shift in sales strategy
Consumer
Japanese pens become mightier in fight against plastic waste
Jetstream series uses thinner-walled refills, eyes shift to paper
Retail
7-Eleven takes touchless to next level with hologram self-checkouts
New air-screen registers to start trial run in Tokyo
Consumer
Detention of China's 'tobacco fragrance queen' confounds company
Huabao International ponders how to manage without Zhu Linyao and her son