Nursing home construction using proceeds from special bond issues has been approved under China's latest directive aimed at spurring growth.
Bonds

China to allow local governments to use bond funding more broadly

List of projects to cover quantum technology, bar some construction projects

Economists expect China's annual gross domestic product growth to slow by 4.4% and 4.1% in 2025 and 2026 respectively.
Economy

China's GDP growth to decelerate to 4.4% in 2025, say economists

Local experts expect yuan to depreciate on weak outlook, smaller Fed cuts

Currency dealers stand in front of electronic boards showing the Korean Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) and the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and South Korean won at a dealing room of a bank, in Seoul, South Korea, December 9, 2024.
Opinion

2025 promises to test Japan's and South Korea's economies

The return of Trump and low growth rates hang over the shaky democracies

26 December 2024
China Evergrande Group's housing projects in Qidong have reportedly added more than 40,000 units to the market. (Photo by Noriyuki Doi)
Property

China housing rents slump to 4-year low amid oversupply

Downturn risks prolonging real estate slump as mortgage rates outpace rental yields

26 December 2024
France calls China's temporary measures on EU brandy, which are hitting French brands like Hennessy and Remy Martin, "pure retaliation" for EU tariffs on China-made EVs.
Trade war

China extends EU brandy anti-dumping investigation by 3 months

Commerce ministry cites 'complexity' in giving itself till April 5 to end probe

25 December 2024
Pakistan's Karachi-based stock exchange has been dogged by its reputation as a playground for the wealthy that is prone to manipulation.
Markets

Pakistan posts 'massive' 86% share rally against all odds

Benchmark stock index emerges as one of world's top-performing markets this year

25 December 2024
China's top legislature, the National People's Congress Standing Committee passed a value-added tax law on Dec. 25. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)
Economy

China approves value-added tax law, taking effect in 2026

Move follows last month's new tax incentives on home and land transactions

25 December 2024
Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick speaks to Nikkei in an interview in New York. (Photo by Yuta Saito) 
Interview

Morgan Stanley CEO 'optimistic' on U.S. economy ahead of Trump return

Ted Pick sees tariff threats driving high-level dialogue already as part of 'economic arsenal'

25 December 2024
A construction crew works on the Toyomi Tower Marine & Sky condominium complex in Tokyo. (Photo by Naoyuki Toyama)
Property

Tokyo condo market to remain tight in 2025 despite supply bump

New units to increase for the first time in four years

25 December 2024
Laos estimates it has 133.6 billion tonnes of in reserves of potassium chloride, a key fertilizer component.
Trade

Laos fertilizer exports to China boom amid Russian sanctions

Country steps up mining of potassium chloride to become 3rd-largest producer

25 December 2024
Executives pose for photos at the launch of the Laos-China QT payment project in Shanghai on Dec. 19.
Caixin

China's UnionPay expands QR code payments to Laos after Vietnam

Move is tied to Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative

24 December 2024
Farmers harvest rice in a field in Chainat province, Thailand, in August 2023.
Agriculture

Thai 2024 rice exports to hit 6-year high, say industry officials

Shipments rose due to low yields among neighbors, India trade restrictions

24 December 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India is among the top borrowers from Russia.
International relations

Russia boosts lending to India, Bangladesh, other friendly nations

Jump in funding amid geopolitical tug of war with West may come at domestic cost

24 December 2024
The weak yen is weighing on Japan's GDP in dollar terms.(Photo by Satoko Kawasaki) 
Economy

South Korea surpasses Japan's per capita GDP in 2022 and 2023

Japan retreats to record-low 22nd place among OECD economies

24 December 2024
Haruhiko Kuroda stepped down as Bank of Japan governor in August 2023 after ten years in the post.  (Kyodo/via Reuters)
Bank of Japan

Former BOJ governor Kuroda to become adviser at JCER

Veteran central banker join Japan Center for Economic Research think tank

23 December 2024
Chinese regulators say brokerage economists must "play a positive role in interpreting government policies and boost investor confidence."
Economy

China says economists who spread 'inappropriate' views should be fired

Securities watchdog says brokerages must help 'boost investor confidence'

23 December 2024
United Arab Emirates Economy Minister Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, speaks to Nikkei Asia on Dec. 19 in Tokyo. (Photo by Takeshi Kumon)
Interview

UAE urges Japan to accelerate discussions on trade agreement

New BRICS member seeks also looks to deepen economic ties with China, India

23 December 2024
The U.S. largely built the Panama Canal, but handed control of the waterway to Panama in 1999 after a period of joint administration.
Trump administration

Trump threatens to retake control of Panama Canal, eyeing Chinese influence

U.S. president-elect accuses Panama of charging ships 'ridiculous' fees

23 December 2024
China has been analyzing seawater to analyze the impact of the discharge of wastewater from the disaster-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Trade

China contemplates allowing seafood imports from Japan

2023 ban followed release of treated wastewater from Fukushima plant

23 December 2024
Tanks at an oil field operated by Caspiy Neft, one of Kazakhstan's largest oil companies. Oil revenue is an important source of funds for the national government.
Economy

Kazakhstan's budget concerns deepen as oil prices hinge on Trump policy

Poor tax discipline leaves government struggling to balance books

22 December 2024
A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, one of India's leading engineering schools, works at Takasago Electric in Nagoya, in central Japan. (Photo by Eugene Lang)
Immigration

Japan Inc. seeks 'golden' talent in Asia to address labor shortage

Companies redouble efforts to recruit college graduates, technical trainees

22 December 2024
Japan Fair Trade Commission is expected to find Google guilty of violating the country's antitrust law, following similar rulings by courts in the U.S. and the European Union. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Technology

Japan antitrust watchdog to find Google violated law in search case

Fair Trade Commission sees problems in contracts with smartphone makers

22 December 2024
Nippon Steel's shares have drifted lower since U.S. President Joe Biden first hinted earlier this year that he was opposed to a takeover of U.S. Steel. 
Your Week in Asia

Nippon Steel deal, Indian Ocean tsunami, holiday trading hours

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

22 December 2024
The pilot program is extended to 10 provinces and cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Shaanxi, Ningbo, Qingdao and Shenzhen.
Caixin

China expands cross-border funding pilot program for multinationals

10 provinces and cities included in initiative that streamlines fund management for global companies

22 December 2024
Singapore attracts many workers from neighboring nations, such as Malaysia, some of whom are also trying to boost their retirement savings. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Work

Malaysians save in Singapore for retirement amid pension concerns

Despite brighter economy at home, migrant workers reluctant to return

21 December 2024
People take pictures of Australian lobster dishes at an import expo in Shanghai in November 2020.
Trade

Australian lobster exports to China can restart, Albanese says

Beijing's notice scraps last trade barrier raised after COVID dispute

20 December 2024
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn speaks to Nikkei Asia during an interview in Tokyo on Dec. 18. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Interview

ASEAN aims to conclude digital economy pact negotiations in 2025

Rules for online businesses promise an 'engine of growth,' secretary-general says

20 December 2024
Japan's inflationary trend could give the Bank of Japan "confidence that it can resume rate hikes over the months ahead," Capital Economics researchers say.
Inflation

Japan's inflation accelerates, keeps BOJ rate-hike chance alive

Core consumer prices in November rise 2.7% on the year

20 December 2024
The trillions of yuan that Beijing has poured into subsidies and other financial support for companies taking part in Made in China 2025 has aggravated imbalances in the economy between production and consumption. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters)
Policy Asia

For Xi Jinping, 'Made in China 2025' has been worth every penny

Bill for technology upgrades and increased self-reliance reaches trillions of yuan

20 December 2024