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June 10, 2026
 

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Sophie Yu
In China's emerging "companionship ?economy,¡± paid partners can be found even for eating out at hotpot restaurants.
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Jun 2, 2026
Lonely consumers in China fuel a $74 billion companionship economy
Paid partners can be found for running, sightseeing and even eating out at hotpot restaurants.
People shop at an accessory store in the Fuyoumen Commercial Building in Shanghai on April 16.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 27, 2025
China targeting older consumers for ¡¯silver economy¡¯ boost
Beijing flagged "a new age" for the elderly in a 2021 policy guideline, but this year, authorities have gone into overdrive.
China's 15-day visa-free policy is giving tourism a huge boost, with bookings from eligible countries surging 150% and attracting millions of visitors post-pandemic.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 17, 2024
China strives to lure foreign tourists, but it¡¯s a hard sell for some
The recent surge in tourism comes after China closed its borders in early 2020 to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and kept them shut until the start of 2023.
Passengers look at the tarmac as they wait for flights at Beijing Capital International Airport on April 20.
BUSINESS
Jun 17, 2024
Chinese outbound travel recovery lags due to costs and visa snags
Chinese people took 87 million trips abroad last year, down 40% from pre-COVID 2019.
A Starbucks coffee shop in Beijing on May 22
BUSINESS
May 27, 2024
In China, Starbucks tries to avoid price war but gets dragged into discounting
A coffee price war in China has arisen amid persistent deflation, weak consumer sentiment, and stagnant wages.
Visa-free access for Chinese tourists to Southeast Asia countries boosted traffic and signaled a robust revival in travel since Beijing lifted strict COVID-19 restrictions in early 2023 that had all but shut China's borders for three years.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 21, 2024
Chinese tourists flock to Southeast Asia as travel bounces back
The increase provides welcome relief to countries that rely on the Chinese and their spending.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 27, 2023
Jobless young Chinese seek solace in temples and tale of failed scholar
Despondent young worshippers crowd temples in China on weekends, as they pray to find jobs in an economy slowly clawing its way back from the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Nov 22, 2022
China¡¯s great reopening may come too late for many businesses
China, the last among major countries not treating COVID-19 as endemic, this month unveiled 20 new steps that eased its stringent anti-COVID policies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Jul 27, 2022
Crisis of confidence stifles China¡¯s economic recovery
Consumer and business confidence slumps in China as strict curbs aimed at stamping out COVID-19 undercut a recovery in the world's second-largest economy and dent global growth.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Dec 22, 2021
China puts regulatory spotlight on livestream retail boom
Viya, dubbed the country's 'queen of livestreaming,' had her e-commerce and social media accounts shut down after she was fined more than $200 million for tax evasion.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 11, 2020
In China men¡¯s skin care boom, startups and investors seek rich glow
Already the biggest in the world, the Chinese men's facial skin care market is forecast to hit 12.5 billion yuan ($1.90 billion) this year ¡ª and expand 50% by 2025.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 9, 2020
Robust sales in China keep Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing on top amid pandemic
With much of Asia having subdued the spread of COVID-19, Fast Retailing is seeing trade return to its Uniqlo stores.
Benefits for foreign tourists spark debate in Japan
Tourists in Nara Park in March
JMA lifts tsunami advisory for Japan coastlines after strong quake off Philippines
A Japan Meteorological Agency official speaks about the earthquake off the Philippines and ensuing tsunami advisory for a large chunk of Japan, at a news conference early Monday in Tokyo.
Yen lingers above ?160 to the dollar ahead of BOJ meeting
The yen is back above ?160 to the dollar, considered by some investors to be a red line for Japanese authorities.
In trust¡¯s name, disclose candidates¡¯ prior citizenship
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a policy speech before the country's parliament in Tokyo in February. The Japanese leader recently argued that requiring candidates to disclose prior citizenship would violate equality before the law.
Fear and uncertainty for foreign business owners after Japan revises rules
Manish Kumar, who asked that his face not be shown, at his restaurant in Tsurugashima, Saitama Prefecture, on June 1.
Foreign couples are turning Japan into a wedding destination
Californians Ben and Ariella Jacoby, who married with Mount Fuji as their backdrop, are part of a growing trend of inbound weddings in Japan.
Fear and uncertainty for foreign business owners after Japan revises rules
Manish Kumar, who asked that his face not be shown, at his restaurant in Tsurugashima, Saitama Prefecture, on June 1.
In Japan, a bull market for bear deterrents
When bells aren¡¯t enough to prevent encounters with bears, outdoorspeople in Japan now have a wide range of deterrents to choose from.
In Matsuyama, sushi more than worth the pilgrimage
The signature piece in chef Koji Takahira¡¯s "nigiri" selection is "shiro-amadai" (white tilefish) ¡ª one of the most prized species from the Seto Inland Sea on account of its sweetness, rich umami and firm texture.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

Community programs and tracking systems are expanding across Japan as local governments search for ways to prevent dementia-related disappearances.
He told his wife he was ¡®coming home.¡¯ Then he disappeared.
By Alex K.T. Martin

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