East Asia
The world’s most advanced economies and its most contested flashpoint sit side by side here. Technology leadership, demographic decline, and a strait that could redraw the global order — all in the same neighborhood.
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May- 2026 -29 MayTech & AI
Asia’s financial institutions move from crypto pilots to production infrastructure ahead of the West
Major Asian financial institutions including Mirae Asset Securities are moving from blockchain pilots to production infrastructure. Hong Kong introduced its Stablecoin Issuance Regulatory Regime (SIRR) bill on April 24, 2026,…
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29 MayPower
Japan permits lethal arms sales to Philippines as defense ties deepen in Tokyo
Philippine President Marcos Jr and Japanese PM Takaichi elevated bilateral ties to comprehensive strategic partnership on May 28, 2026, the 70th anniversary of normalized relations. Commitments include deepened maritime security…
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29 MaySociety
South Korea’s inactive youth hit six-year high as employers block first-time job seekers
South Korea's economically inactive population aged 25–29 reached 784,000 in April 2026, up 37,000 year-on-year, with 228,000 classified as 'resting youth.' The steepest April increase since 2020 reflects a structural…
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29 MaySociety
South Korea’s resting youth hit six-year high as firms abandon graduate hiring
South Korea's economically inactive population aged 25–29 reached 784,000 in April 2026, up 37,000 year-on-year. Within that group, 228,000 are classified as resting youth—capable of working but neither employed nor…
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29 MayPower
Iran restores internet to 53% capacity, signalling flexibility in ceasefire talks with Washington
Iran has partially restored internet access to 53% of normal traffic volumes after blackouts in January 2026 and during the US-Israeli military campaign. WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook remain blocked or…
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29 MayPower
Trump’s Taiwan arms pause signals US security commitments are now negotiable with Beijing
The US has frozen a USD 14 billion arms sale to Taiwan after Trump discussed the island's weapons situation directly with Xi Jinping, breaking decades of protocol. South Korea, Japan,…
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28 MayTech & AI
Computex 2026 opens in Taipei with AI chip announcements shaping enterprise upgrade cycles through 2027
Computex 2026 opens June 2-5 in Taipei with 1,500 exhibitors from 33 countries. Nvidia, Qualcomm, Intel, and Marvell deliver keynotes on AI computing and AI PC platforms. Cooling technology and…
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28 MayTech & AI
Taiwan warns of Chinese apps collecting sensitive data but lacks legal power to restrict them
Taiwan's government flagged Chinese apps like iQIYI, Bilibili, and Xiaohongshu as high-risk data collectors but lacks legal power to restrict individual downloads. The NCC's 2019 broadcast ban and 2020 OTT…
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28 MayTech & AI
Nvidia commits NT$150 billion to Taiwan headquarters, conditioning expansion on grid capacity
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveiled Taipei headquarters design and announced NT$150 billion investment in Taiwan—15 times AMD's commitment. Workforce expands from 1,000 to 4,000 by 2030. Huang attached explicit condition:…
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28 MayCapital
Taiwan and South Korea’s chip boom masks dangerous export concentration risk
Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan are riding an AI hardware boom that has pushed Taiwan's output growth to 14% annually and South Korea's chip profits up 500%, but both economies…
