Japan enacts record extra budget to fund economic package as pandemic continues
Lavish spending plans for the year through March highlight Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's stance of prioritizing economic revitalization while putting fiscal health on the back burner.
Intel plans $7 billion Asia expansion as chip crunch persists
The project marks a big bet on Malaysia, which is emerging as a global center for testing and assembling semiconductors.
Biden team weighs new clampdown on China’s largest chipmaker
The Biden administration is considering imposing tougher sanctions on China’s largest chipmaker, building on an effort to limit the country’s access to advanced technology.
Chip giant Taiwan's energy security on the line with LNG referendum
The referendum, which seeks to relocate the project away from an ancient algal reef and would likely delay it for years, has a reasonable chance of passing.
Supply chain woes force Murata to ship lithium batteries by air
On top of inflated base cargo fees fueled by high demand, batteries shipped via air incur extra handling charges because they’re a fire hazard.
TSMC leads rush for renewables ahead of Taiwan energy vote
This month, Taiwan will hold a referendum that could have far-reaching effects on the world’s supply of semiconductors.
The world's relentless demand for chips turns deadly in Malaysia
The tragedy shows the little-understood human cost of keeping industries happy and supply chains running while a contagious virus rages.
Toyota’s output slumps 26% on prolonged supply-chain snarls
Japanese automakers have struggled due to outbreaks of COVID-19 in Southeast Asia, as well as parts and semiconductor shortages.
Freedom needed for commerce to flourish, says Japan's new economic security minister
To succeed, Takayuki Kobayashi says, Japan must seek a balance between allowing companies and research institutions to work together across borders while mitigating any potential risk to national security.
Texas put up millions to lure a Samsung plant and won. Will it pay off?
Research suggests projects don’t always deliver, despite the eye-popping numbers in pitch decks and the politicians racing around to take credit for delivering jobs.
In Mexico's auto heartland, workers struggle as chip shortage bites
Temporary closures have translated into lost wages for tens of thousands of the country's auto workers due to furloughs and layoffs.
Secretive Chinese committee draws up list to replace U.S. tech
China is accelerating plans to replace U.S. and foreign technology, quietly empowering an organization to vet and approve local suppliers in sensitive areas from cloud to semiconductors.
