Commodities
Business trends
Japan's smaller firms struggle to pass on higher costs from Iran war
Shortage of naphtha puts smaller companies at a disadvantage against larger brethren
Commodities
Japan gold exports hit record $25bn, likely include metal once smuggled in
Fiscal 2025 outflow due to higher prices abroad on geopolitical tensions
Energy
Global oil inventories to fall below 100 days of demand on Hormuz blockade
Despite hints of reopening strait, supplies are expected to remain below market needs
Commodities
China lowers death toll in Shanxi coal mine disaster to 82
Xi Jinping orders investigation, tells rescue teams to 'spare no effort'
Defense
Pakistan to deploy paramilitary force to guard copper-gold belt
Move aims to boost global and domestic investor confidence in mining projects
Big in Asia
Southeast Asia's turn to crops for fuel leaves less for food and exports
Worries dog hasty Iran war-linked shift to higher biodiesel blends in Indonesia, Malaysia
Commodities
Indonesian commodity exporters flag myriad hurdles in state monopoly push
Rating agencies sound alarm over wider regulatory uncertainty
Supply Chain
Lynas rare earth deal with Pentagon triggers outcry in Malaysia
Southeast Asian country is the key production base for the Australian miner
Commodities
Speculators rush into copper as sulfur supply risk, AI drive up prices
Concerns about shortage of acid used in smelting push metal closer to record highs
Commodities
Indonesia's new export control rattles commodity buyers: 5 things to know
Danantara subsidiary to review existing contracts for coal, palm oil and nickel
Commodities
Australia's Arafura rare-earth project to start construction in September
Final investment decision comes amid Western efforts to reduce reliance on China
Crime
Japan police arrest 3 accused of smuggling gold from Hong Kong
Growing illicit efforts to move precious metal driven by tax regimes
Commodities
Indonesia takes control of 'strategic' commodity exports with new body
Industry frets and stocks fall as government targets palm oil, coal and key minerals
Economy
Chinese complaint highlights 'widespread' Indonesia business concern
Western lobby group says many industries face 'a lot of difficulties'
Supply Chain
Japan kicks into high gear steering Iran war oil shock response
Economy ministry tackles supply chain shortage reports one by one
Energy
South Korea to join Japan's plan for joint oil reserve at summit
Initiative will leverage Takaichi-proposed framework to expand energy cooperation
Commodities
Gold and other precious metals drop as investors brace for US rate hikes
Institutions sell on expectations of interest gains, but retail buyers stay bullish
!["[We] will act further if needed to protect national interests," Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in a statement on May 18.](https://images.ft.com/v3/image/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fcms-image-bucket-productionv3-ap-northeast-1-a7d2.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com%2Fimages%2F3%2F1%2F3%2F1%2F12511313-1-eng-GB%2F40210e02ec62-20260518-Jim-Chalmers.JPG?width=300&fit=cover&gravity=faces&dpr=2&quality=medium&source=nar-cms&format=auto&height=168)
Commodities
Australia orders China-linked investors to sell Northern Minerals stake
Canberra cites national interest concerns in critical minerals
Materials
Largest plant for converting coal to key chemical to be built in Xinjiang
Hengyi Petrochemical cites national security in seeking supply stability amid Iran oil worries
Commodities
Japan's Sumitomo Metal, Sojitz look to Southeast Asia for rare earths
Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam hold promise for building China-free supply chain
Commodities
China investor takes over 120-year-old German knitting machine maker
Huixing gives Mayer & Cie new lease of life as industry hemmed in by Chinese rivals
Commodities
Japan set to receive first LNG via Hormuz since de facto closure
Supplies offer psychological relief, but too small to impact overall market
Iran war
Japan oil wholesalers use ship-to-ship transfers to receive Middle East crude
About half the country's crude from region arrives via foreign operators for hefty fee
Commodities
AI-fueled copper rush spurs Amazon to buy direct from US mine
First new American output in years facilitated by tech from Rio Tinto venture
Automobiles
China carmakers get most subsidies; US-sanctioned oil refiner also benefits
State support shrinks as local governments face fiscal pressure
Food & Beverage
Why Japanese potato chip bags are turning black and white
Snack maker Calbee's move to monochrome could herald wider industry change
Commodities
Iran war inflation is hitting Japan faster than previous oil shocks
Supply chain disruption looms over everything from tofu to autos
Companies
Nippon Steel projects $630m profit for US Steel on added efficiency
Japan steelmaker beats forecast but China exports and Iran war cloud outlook
Commodities
Indian jewelers brace for 10% sales dip as gold tariffs nearly triple
Tax bump follows Modi's urging to avoid gold, cut fuel use, promote EVs and work from home
IPO
Uzbek IPO oversubscribed, as investors jump at privatization play
Tashkent-London listing paves way for assets, like Uzbekistan Airways, to launch