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News•Mar 1, 2026
Japan Shipping Group Says Strait of Hormuz Closed to Energy, Other Traffic
Japan’s largest maritime shipping conglomerate announced that the Iranian Navy has officially barred all vessels from transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The ban specifically targets energy cargoes, including crude oil and liquefied natural gas, effectively shutting the narrow waterway to a critical segment of global trade. The closure forces shippers to seek longer, costlier routes around the Arabian Peninsula. The announcement underscores escalating geopolitical risk in one of the world’s most vital energy corridors.
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Mar 1, 2026
India Set to Revive 1984 Water Project After Revoking Pact with Pakistan
India is set to restart the 1984 Jhelum River water‑management project in Kashmir, marking the first unilateral water‑flow decision since it suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan nine months ago. The revival follows a brief armed clash between the...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Mar 1, 2026
Iran Braces for Risky Transition as Khamenei's Death Leaves Power Vacuum
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died, leaving Iran without a clear successor. An interim leadership council has been appointed, but the process for selecting a new supreme leader remains opaque. The power vacuum raises concerns over potential hard‑line crackdowns on...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Mar 1, 2026
Japan's Hospitals Expand Foreign Patient Care
Japan’s healthcare system is rapidly expanding multilingual services as inbound tourism surges, with 2,500 hospitals and clinics now listed as foreign‑patient friendly—a 1.6‑fold rise over six years. The Hakuba International Clinic exemplifies the trend, handling 40‑50 walk‑ins daily, 80% of...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 26, 2026
India and Israel Sign Tech and Cyber Security Pacts During Modi's Trip
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit, India and Israel signed multiple agreements to deepen cooperation in technology and cybersecurity. The pacts create a joint innovation fund, enable real‑time cyber‑threat intelligence sharing, and launch collaborative projects in artificial intelligence, quantum...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 24, 2026
Phuket Emerges as Real Estate Hot Spot in Thailand
Phuket is rapidly emerging as Thailand’s next real‑estate hub as developers pivot from a saturated Bangkok market. Sansiri announced a 24 billion‑baht sales target, planning about 20 new projects—including 13 luxury villas and a Bang Tao condominium—by 2028. Rival firms such as...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 24, 2026
Japan Conveys Concerns to US over Trade Terms in New 150-Day Tariffs
Japan’s economy minister Ryosei Akazawa asked U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to ensure Japan is not treated less favorably under the new 150‑day tariff regime that replaces the invalidated reciprocal levies. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s global...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 24, 2026
Bangladesh Seeks to Keep Least Developed Status Amid Economic Stress
Bangladesh’s new government has formally asked the United Nations to delay its graduation from least‑developed country (LDC) status. The request cites mounting macroeconomic stress, trade uncertainty and institutional weaknesses. Deferring graduation would preserve preferential trade benefits that shield Bangladeshi exports...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
Deals•Feb 24, 2026
Nippon Steel to Raise $3.8bn via Overseas Convertible Bond Issuance
Nippon Steel announced it will raise 600 billion yen (≈ $3.8 billion) by issuing convertible bonds overseas, marking the largest overseas CB issuance by a Japanese company.
Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 23, 2026
Thai Hotel Group to List $1bn REIT in Singapore This Year
Thai hospitality conglomerate Minor International announced plans to launch a $1 billion real‑estate investment trust that will bundle 14 hotel assets in Europe and Thailand. The REIT is slated for a Singapore listing later this year, giving the group access to...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 23, 2026
Japan's Enhanced Defense Stance Needs Space Ambitions to Match
Japan is moving to raise defence spending toward 2 % of GDP and to scrap the five‑category export ban, signalling a major policy shift. The government argues that higher budgets must translate into sovereign space capabilities, especially ISR satellite constellations. Recent...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 23, 2026
Japanese Yen Bounces on Takaichi Election Sweep, but Will It Last?
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party secured a landslide victory in the February 8 snap election, propelling Japanese equities to record highs. The political certainty sparked a yen rally, moving the currency from around ¥157 per dollar to the ¥152...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
Deals•Feb 23, 2026
Minor International to Launch $1bn REIT and List in Singapore
Thailand-listed Minor International announced plans to create a $1 billion real‑estate investment trust (REIT) comprising 14 hotel assets in Europe and Thailand, and to list the REIT on the Singapore exchange later in 2026. The listing aims to strengthen the group's...
Nikkei Asia – Economy
Deals•Feb 19, 2026
Itochu Acquires Minority Stake in Bookoff
Japanese trading house Itochu Corp has announced that it has taken a minority stake in Bookoff, a leading used‑book retailer in Japan. The investment marks Itochu's strategic move into the secondhand book market, though financial terms were not disclosed.
Nikkei Asia – Economy
Deals•Feb 16, 2026
Jollibee Foods to Acquire South Korean Hot Pot Chain All Day Fresh
Philippine restaurant giant Jollibee Foods announced on Monday that it will acquire South Korean hot‑pot chain All Day Fresh, its latest overseas expansion ahead of a planned U.S. IPO of its international operations in 2027. The financial terms of the...
Nikkei Asia – Economy
Deals•Feb 14, 2026
Dentsu to Raise $1.3bn via Share Issue After Record Loss
Japan's advertising giant Dentsu announced a $1.3bn share issue to boost its finances following a record loss, aiming to strengthen its balance sheet and fund future growth. The capital raise is expected to improve liquidity and support strategic initiatives.
Nikkei Asia – Economy
Deals•Feb 14, 2026
Japan to Issue $10bn Yen Loans to Vietnam for Rail Lines and Gas Plant
Japan announced a new $10 billion yen‑denominated loan package for Vietnam to fund the construction of rail lines and a gas power plant. The sovereign loan aims to bolster Vietnam’s infrastructure development and deepen bilateral ties. The agreement was disclosed on...
Nikkei Asia – Economy
Deals•Feb 13, 2026
Sumitomo Forestry to Acquire Tri Pointe Homes for $4.2bn, Becoming 5th‑Largest US Homebuilder
Japanese homebuilder Sumitomo Forestry announced on Feb. 13, 2026 that it will acquire U.S. homebuilder Tri Pointe Homes for $4.2 billion, positioning Sumitomo as the fifth‑largest homebuilder in the United States. The deal is part of Sumitomo’s overseas M&A push as...
Nikkei Asia – Economy
Deals•Feb 13, 2026
PayPay Targets $19.6bn Nasdaq IPO in March 2026
Japan’s mobile payments platform PayPay announced plans to list on the Nasdaq in March 2026, targeting a valuation of about $19.6 billion. The move marks a major step for the fintech firm as it seeks to raise capital and expand internationally.
Nikkei Asia – Economy
Deals•Feb 13, 2026
Cabot Properties to Invest $200m+ in Japan Logistics Facilities
US real estate fund Cabot Properties announced it will invest over $200 million in logistics facilities across Japan, expanding its footprint in the Asian market.
Nikkei Asia – Economy
Deals•Feb 13, 2026
SMFG Issues World's First Digital Inclusion Bonds, Raising $500M
Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) has issued $500 million of bonds billed as the world's first 'digital inclusion' bonds. The proceeds will fund infrastructure projects to improve internet connectivity in emerging markets, aiming to bridge the global digital divide....
Nikkei Asia – Economy
Deals•Feb 11, 2026
Brookfield to Acquire Dentsu's Tokyo Headquarters Tower for $2bn
Canadian investment group Brookfield announced it will acquire the Tokyo headquarters building of Japanese advertising firm Dentsu for about $2bn, marking Brookfield's first office acquisition in Japan and expanding its real estate footprint in the country.
Nikkei Asia – Economy
Deals•Feb 11, 2026
Toyota Group Launches $35bn Tender Offer to Take Toyota Industries Private
Toyota Group has announced a 5.4 trillion yen ($35bn) tender offer to take its founding firm, Toyota Industries, private, prompting a proxy battle with activist hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, which argues the price is too low. The deal, one...
Nikkei Asia – Economy