Japan

Autos

Honda and Nissan Officially in Talks to Merge Into World’s Third-Largest Automaker

Photo by Dinkun Chen via CC BY-SA 4.0

Spurred by “the rise of Chinese power,” Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan announced Monday that they are in talks to merge.

2 min read

Photo by Tupungato via iStock

Private Equity

Investment Giant SoftBank Promises $100 Billion and 100,000 Jobs to the US

SoftBank’s gigantic pledge undoubtedly represents a major PR victory for the incoming Trump 2.0 administration.

2 min read
Photo by Federal Reserve Board of Governors via Public Domain Mark 1.0

Inflation & Prices

Inflation Ticks up Slightly in November, CPI Report Says

Another month, another frustratingly sticky inflation report. Still, a rate cut seems certain when the Federal Reserve meets next week.

2 min read
Photo by Stephan Behnes via iStock

International Economics

IMF Worries State of ‘Not Good Enough’ Will Follow Rate Cuts and a Soft Landing

Of 12 major developed-market central banks, eight are in rate-cutting mode, with Australia, Norway, Japan, and Taiwan the odd men out.

2 min read

Industries

Japan’s ispace Readying for Moon Landing After Missing by 5 Kilometers in 2022

Photo by The Nature Box via CC BY-SA 4.0

ispace plans to launch a second attempt to land a probe on the moon later this year, with a new record in mind.

1 min read

Patent Drop

Honda Pushes Forward with EV Production, Patents Despite Demand Plateau

Photo via U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

A patent from Honda seeks to make EV charging cheaper and better for the environment.

2 min read

Image Credit: iStock images, David Tran

Consumer

Boston Beer Co. May Be Swallowed by Japanese Whiskey Giant

The brewer is reportedly in early talks to sell to Japan’s Suntory, which owns American spirits brands Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark.

2 min read
Photo by Martin Katler via Unsplash

Autos

Japanese Automakers Turn to Gas, Biofuel Engines as EV Adoption Stalls

Toyota is partnering with petroleum firms to develop carbon-neutral fuels and make them available in Japan by 2030.

2 min read
Photo illustration by Connor Lin / The Daily Upside

International Economics

Japan Looks to Leave its Lost Decades Behind

After years of chronic stagnation, prices are rising again, with inflation exceeding the Bank of Japan’s 2% target for two years running.

7 min read

Consumer

Gucci’s China Problem Is Testing Investors’ Patience

Photo by Do Nhu via Unsplash

The company says a turnaround will take time as the market for luxury goods cools and China muddles through economic doldrums.

1 min read