TOKYO -- As the end of 2022 nears, one of the biggest stories has been China's loosening of its strict zero-COVID policy, adding to a year that has seen borders reopen across much of the world as countries aim to boost their battered economies.
In October, Japan began allowing visa-free entries for foreign individual tourists, and our readers took a keen interest in the opening of the world's third-largest economy after two and a half years of closure. Nikkei Asia's numerous reports followed the Japanese government's moves and commercial activities related to this.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February has dominated much of the year's news coverage. Some of our most read stories on the conflict include Moscow's airstrikes on Kyiv, support by Western powers for Ukraine's resistance -- including major sanctions against Russia by the G-7 -- and Turkey's emergence as the key player due to its control of the Turkish Straits and supply of military technologies such as attack drones, which have been used extensively by Ukrainian forces.
Taiwan also grabbed much of the spotlight this year. Some of the biggest stories looked at rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait due to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island in August, satellite photos of China's military exercises and the ongoing impact of the U.S.-China rivalry on global business, especially in the chip industry.
In China, the Communist Party held its twice-a-decade congress in October. While President Xi Jinping secured an unprecedented third term, the party's elders received an unexpected amount of attention at the event.
Take a look back with our most read stories of the year.
Our most read stories of 2022
- Convenience store chain Ministop pulls out of South Korea and Philippines
- Japan to let in foreign workers and students starting this month
- Turkey rejects Russia's request for navy ships to pass Bosporus
- Turkish-made drones likely involved in Moskva sinking
- Satellite photos suggest China training to attack Japan's aircraft
- Japan slowly opens up to foreign tourists: 5 things to know
- Satellite photos show China destroyed object similar to Japan plane
- U.S. deploys ships and planes near Taiwan as Pelosi eyes visit
- Japan to allow visa-free individual tourists from Oct. 11
- Retired elders lose spotlight at China's Communist Party congress
- Analysis: Xi no longer described as 'people's leader' in China
- TSMC founder Morris Chang says globalization 'almost dead'
