Telecommunication
NTT Docomo to close 30% of mobile phone stores in online shift
Japanese mobile carrier to replace sales staff with avatars in the metaverse
Telecoms & Media
Technology
Sony to expand entertainment into metaverse and EVs
Japanese company touts Bungie purchase and Honda partnership as key moves
Media & Entertainment
Tencent revenues fail to grow for first time since 2004 IPO
President says it will take time for tech sector to benefit from Beijing's support
Media & Entertainment
BTS agency Hybe looks to churn out more K-pop idols
South Korean company delves into games and NFTs to diversify profit base
SoftBank
SoftBank's Son turns defensive in face of record $16bn loss
Group vows to scale back new investments after tech sell-off hits its portfolio
Telecommunication
Vodafone in talks to combine U.K. arm with CK Hutchison's Three: FT
Latest effort to consolidate mobile telecoms comes as investor exerts pressure
Media & Entertainment
Musk says he would reverse Trump's 'foolish' Twitter ban
Tesla CEO accuses the social media platform of having a San Francisco bias
Companies
Japanese capsule toy makers go green, cutting plastic use
Bandai promotes recycling; Tomy redesigns products
Politics
China's CCTV in spotlight after 'Ma' arrest report shakes market
Brief plunge in Alibaba stock erased $27bn in share value
Interview
Thailand's AIS plans $1bn investment blitz to protect telecom crown
CEO says company will win over customers dissatisfied with True-DTAC megamerger
Hong Kong security law
Hong Kong tanks to 148th in press freedom as Beijing tightens grip
Sharp drop reflects shuttering of Apple Daily, Stand News and other outlets
Technology
Samsung signs deal with Dish for 5G radios, phones
South Korean company cements role as telecom equipment supplier in U.S.
Interview
Telkom Indonesia plans to boost startup investment
Group aims to seize opportunities amid shift from traditional carrier business
Society
Marriage phobia: More Chinese women opt for single life
Unrelenting decline in weddings gives Xi Jinping administration headache
Companies
India says it seizes $725m of Xiaomi funds over illegal remittances
Latest move signals widening scrutiny of the Chinese smartphone maker
Technology
Sony and Microsoft vie for game developers as metaverse grows
Capcom boosts base salaries by 30%, while Sega offers performance-linked pay
Business deals
Activision Blizzard shareholders approve $68.7bn Microsoft deal
More than 98% in favor of transaction at California company's meeting
Ukraine war
Ukraine war effort sustained by unbroken internet lifeline
Local carriers and SpaceX's Starlink keep soldiers and civilians connected
Markets
China's Zhihu tumbles 24% in Hong Kong 'homecoming'
Q&A site set for worst debut among U.S.-listed companies seeking backup position
Business Spotlight
Calling all disrupters: Japan's Rakuten bets big on virtual networks
After 2 years and $2bn in losses, can the e-commerce giant realize its mobile ambitions?