(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
Economy: News & Insights - Nikkei Asia

Economy

28 May 2025
Container ships at Jakarta International Container Terminal. Southeast Asian countries are offering to buy more U.S. products in tariff negotiations with Washington. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Cristina Roque spoke to Nikkei Asia on May 20 in Tokyo in her role as the Philippines' trade and industry secretary: "Digitalization is very important for the Philippines," she says. (Photo by Kotaro Igarashi)
Telecommunication

Philippines and Google in talks about data center, minister says

Improving internet connectivity seen as priority for Southeast Asian nation

23 May 2025
Marcos' approval rating has dropped amid inflation concerns. 
Politics

Marcos asks cabinet secretaries to resign in government reset

Philippine leader faces division after May polls left him without Senate majority

22 May 2025
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Podcast: News Roundup

Philippine elections, India-Pakistan conflict and more

Tune in to Nikkei Asia's podcast, bringing the region's key news to global listeners

16 May 2025
Despite economic concerns, analysts say the May 12 election for a host of seats, including the whole of the House of Representatives, will play out as a proxy battle for the two leading political dynasties, represented by former president Rodrigo Duterte, left, and his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., right (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Policy Asia

In Philippines election, personality trumps policy as economic storm brews

Inflation worries swirl, but clan allegiances to prevail in midterm ballot choices

9 May 2025
A vegetable seller at a public market in Manila. The country's GDP growth in the first quarter of the year was bolstered by strong consumer spending. 
Economy

Philippine Q1 GDP misses forecasts as Trump trade war starts to bite

Country braces for 'period of volatility' despite facing relatively low US tariffs

8 May 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, left, and his Vietnamese counterpart, Pham Minh Chinh, walk during a welcoming ceremony in Hanoi on April 28.
Trump tariffs

Japanese PM Ishiba champions free trade in Southeast Asia visit

Trip follows Trump tariff shock and Xi's visit to ASEAN countries

28 April 2025
As a net importer from China and net exporter to the U.S., ASEAN finds itself hemmed in by the trade war between the world's two largest economies. (Illustration by Yoshiko Kawano)
ASEAN Money

ASEAN struggles to boost regional trade amid Trump tariff threat

U.S. policy renews urgency to deepen economic ties within Southeast Asian bloc

15 April 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies could slow down the flow of remittances to the Philippines as the levies could damage the world economy, affecting how much overseas Filipino workers earn.  (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and Shinya Sawai)
Trading Asia

Trump policies threaten to shake foundation of shock-resistant Philippine peso

Crackdown on immigration set to squeeze country's key economic lifeline -- remittances

14 April 2025
Cargo vessels at Manila's main port. The U.S. now imposes a 17% tariff on imports from the Philippines.
Trump tariffs

Asia's trade focus shifts to China amid Trump tariffs

Philippines eyes new investments while Thailand and others build up rail link

10 April 2025
A container ship passes a car cargo ship at a port terminal off Singapore on Feb. 20. The Asian Development Bank says the trade-oriented city will suffer a particularly hard blow from the U.S. tariffs.
Economy

Trump puts Asia on track for 'significantly lower growth,' ADB says

Preliminary modeling suggests China's expansion rate will drop 0.9 of a point

9 April 2025
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, right, hosts Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Kuala Lumpur on April 6 to discuss regional issues. (Government of Malaysia)
Trade war

Malaysia to seek united ASEAN response to U.S. reciprocal tariffs

Bloc's economic ministers to meet Thursday to discuss collective approach

7 April 2025
San Miguel reported a 19% jump in net profit for the first nine months of 2024.
Your Week in Asia

Singapore defense summit, China retail sales, San Miguel reports

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

16 March 2025
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, welcomes European Union President Ursula von der Leyen at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi.
Your Week in Asia

India-EU trade meeting, China's tit-for-tat tariffs, Japan wage deal

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

9 March 2025
Figures from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Philippines' central bank, show overseas workers sent home a record amount of money in 2024.
Economy

Philippine remittances hit record in 2024 on weak peso

Overseas workers in U.S. remain top source but Trump immigration policy looms

17 February 2025
The Seoul city government hopes foreign workers can be an alternative solution to future manpower shortages in the care sector.
Immigration

South Korea extends Philippine nannies program to provide cheaper childcare

Seoul aims to ease household burdens, though critics say program is not a lasting solution

17 February 2025
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives for his impeachment hearing at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Jan. 21.
Your Week in Asia

Japan GDP, South Korean leader's trial, Indonesia policy meeting

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

16 February 2025
The Philippine midterm elections in May will gauge the public's approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration.
Politics

Philippines heads into midterm elections: 5 things to know

Sara Duterte impeachment raises stakes for May 12 nationwide voting

11 February 2025
Less than three weeks into his second term in office, U.S. President Donald Trump has already begun what he pledged would be "the largest deportation program in American history." (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)
Policy Asia

Asian immigrants in U.S. cower in shadow of Trump deportation drive

An estimated 1.7m Asians lived in U.S. without authorization in 2022, up a third from 2016

7 February 2025
A shopper looks at rice for sale at a supermarket in Manila in April 2024.
Inflation

Philippines tackles rice inflation with 'emergency' measures

Government to release buffer stocks in bid to lower retail prices

3 February 2025
A public market in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Consumers in the Philippines have been reeling from inflation and reduced savings stemming from the COVID pandemic.
Economy

Philippine economy faces challenge of diversifying growth drivers

Experts urge developing industries critical to reducing reliance on consumption

30 January 2025
Beachgoers on the Philippine island of Boracay.
Travel & Leisure

Philippines received 27% more Japanese visitors in 2024

Greater awareness and low-cost trips drew travelers despite weak yen

11 January 2025
Authorities post a "Closed" sign on a building used by an offshore gaming company at Island Cove in Cavite province on Dec. 17. (PAGCOR)
Economy

Philippines' online gambling ban prompts foreign worker exodus

As offshore operators shut down, more than 20,000 have left country

29 December 2024
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Eli Remolona: According to a Reuters poll, all 24 surveyed economists forecast the BSP would ease interest rates by 25 basis points.
Economy

Philippines cuts policy rate in effort to support economy

Easing comes amid peso's persistent weakness and continued headline inflation

19 December 2024
Passengers line up at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport: The Philippines welcomed 4.92 million foreign tourists from January to November this year.
Economy

Philippines to offer VAT refunds to boost tourism sector

President Marcos expects visitors' spending to rise as much as 30%

14 December 2024
A container terminal in Shanghai. The Asian Development bank now expects developing Asia to grow 4.9% in 2024 and 4.8% in 2025.
Economy

Asia to feel material impact of Trump policies in 2026, says ADB

Emerging region expected to grow 4.9% in 2024 and 4.8% in 2025

11 December 2024
The Philippines has built a solid runway for takeoff by embarking on two decades of challenging economic reform.
Opinion

The Philippines has built a solid runway for economic takeoff

Nation can use India's services exports as a blueprint for an AI-driven world

10 December 2024
Investors had been selling the Philippine peso in recent months in anticipation of further rate cuts.
Currencies

Philippine peso surges against dollar on rate cut uncertainty

Typhoon-induced inflation seen pressuring central bank to reconsider easing

7 December 2024
A woman standing by her flooded house after super typhoon Man-yi hit Quezon town, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, on Nov. 18.
Economy

Philippines downgrades 2024 GDP growth forecast to 6%-6.5%

Country now expects 6%-8% growth in 2025 as Trump uncertainty looms

2 December 2024
Super typhoon Man-Yi flooded farmland in Quezon, Nueva Ecija province, the Philippines, on Nov. 18.
Economy

Philippines' Q4 growth to be dampened by typhoons, official says

Agricultural damage weighs down ability to meet full-year target of 6-7%

2 December 2024