Business

The US issued a general license on Wednesday broadly authorizing US companies to do business with Venezuela’s state-run oil company PDVSA, a key step that could secure investment and, in the longer term, increase the country’s crude production capacity. Internal Pages – Super (728×90) – Position 14 Washington has been easing sanctions on Venezuela since […]

Trump tariffs Construction of nuclear reactors, gas plants expected to be announced at summit Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on March 19. © AP TOKYO — The second phase of Japan’s investment and loan pledge for projects in the U.S. is expected to total around 10 trillion yen […]

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands at a summit in Tokyo on March 18. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong agreed Wednesday to upgrade the countries’ relationship to a strategic partnership, agreeing to broader cooperation in areas […]

Transportation Chairman mum on CK Hutchison saga in Panama, says geopolitical crisis holds ‘opportunities’ The new megaport built by China’s state-owned COSCO Shipping in Chancay, Peru, in October 2024. The company says it will continue to look for expansion opportunities in emerging markets. © Reuters TOKYO — COSCO Shipping Ports, China’s major state-owned port operator, […]

Automobiles Chinese carmaker battles domestic price pressure and global trade tensions Visitors inspect a Geely Galaxy E8 electric vehicle at the 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. Strong demand of the Galaxy series helped drive Geely’s record revenue in 2025.  © Reuters Nikkei staff writers March 18, 2026 16:57 JST Updated on March 18, 2026 21:08 JST HONG KONG — […]

HONG KONG — Hoping to capitalize on China’s AI agent fever sparked by OpenClaw, Tencent is developing an AI agent for its ubiquitous social media app WeChat, which boasts over 1.4 billion users, according to the president of the Chinese tech giant, Martin Lau.

The popular tourist destination of Kyoto was buzzing with foreign visitors in February. (Photo by Atsushi Ooka) TOKYO — Japan continued to benefit from a tourism boom in February, with foreign visitor numbers rising versus last year despite Beijing encouraging Chinese holidaymakers to celebrate the Lunar New Year elsewhere.

Economy Increase would mark first such streak in 35 years, pending final tallies Results of spring wage negotiations are written on a board at an office of the Japan Council of Metalworkers’ Unions in Tokyo on March 18. (Photo by Rie Ishii) MITSURU OBE March 18, 2026 11:30am JST Updated on March 18, 2026 19:01 […]

Trump tariffs Analysts warn stance risks triggering retaliation from Trump administration U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October.  © Reuters KUALA LUMPUR — After two days of confusing statements, Malaysia confirmed on Wednesday that its agreement on reciprocal trade […]

Semiconductors Quality control takes center stage in advanced AI chipmaking and packaging (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters) TAIPEI — Companies in the chip testing supply chain are racing to keep up with a surge in demand as the AI boom drives global appetite for more powerful chips, multiple industry executives told Nikkei Asia.