Business

Currencies Move follows warning from Japan’s top currency diplomat The yen rose strongly against the dollar for a second straight day on Friday. (Photo by Nanami Sato) AKANE OKUTSU May 1, 2026 12:43 JST Updated on May 1, 2026 16:29 JST TOKYO — The yen rose strongly against the dollar for a second straight day […]

Food & Beverage Wuliangye’s boss removed from China’s NPC; company warns sector in ‘deep water’ An attendant holds a bottle of Wuliangye, one of China’s most famous liquors: The company is mired in a scandal and slashed its earnings in a restatement. © Reuters TOKYO — A major producer of the Chinese liquor baijiu has […]

Business trends Trading house to post $540m non-operating loss over Ambatovy deal with UK firm Sumitomo Corp. is withdrawing from a loss-making nickel mine project in Madagascar. (Photo by Yuki Nakao) TOKYO — Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp. said on Friday that it will sell its entire stake in the Ambatovy nickel mine project in Madagascar, […]

Agriculture Crop and livestock yields are on the line as input costs surge Securing fertilizer at prices that won’t break the bank is becoming an ever greater challenge for Australia’s farmers since the Iran war has choked off trade through the Strait of Hormuz. © Reuters CANBERRA — Last week, farmer Sam Kelly jumped in […]

Automobiles Automaker will expand output of gasoline-powered cars as EV sales slump Nissan has canceled planned production of electric SUV models at its plant in the U.S. state of Mississippi, opting to increase output of conventional cars there. (Nikkei photo) NEW YORK — Nissan Motor is canceling its electric vehicle production plans at its plant […]

Iran was Prospects for cheaper Iranian gas and oil hinge on lifting sanctions Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, left, recently met with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Islamabad. (Seyed Abbas Araghchi via Telegram/Handout via Reuters) ISLAMABAD — Even after the second round of peace talks between the U.S. and Iran collapsed when the […]

Inflation Funds running out to give relief to motorists at gas pump from high oil prices Gas prices in Japan would have exceeded 200 yen a liter ($4.73 a U.S. gallon) without the government’s subsidy.  (Photo by Mao Kawano) TOKYO — Economists are warning that a generous subsidy from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration to help […]

Politics Sunni radical groups view Shiite-majority Iran as “infidel” The scene of a bomb blast in Bali, Indonesia, after suicide attacks that killed 202 people in 2002. A former leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, the group responsible for the tragedy, says the Iran war is unlikely to trigger similar terror attacks due to the Sunni-Shiite division. © Reuters KUALA […]

Technology iPhone giant posts record March quarter results on 28% sales jump in China Apple saw revenue growth in all regions during the quarter but China saw the biggest sales jump. © Reuters YIFAN YU May 1, 2026 06:18 JST Updated on May 1, 2026 07:44 JST PALO ALTO, California — Apple reported a March […]

Companies Steelmaker invests $1.7bn into local joint venture as competition grows JFE Steel’s integrated steelworks in India, jointly operated with JSW Steel. (JFE Steel) MUMBAI — Japanese steelmaker JFE Steel has begun operating an integrated steel plant in India with a local partner, part of an investment rush that is predicted to raise the country’s […]