News

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida is stepping down after a tumultuous period marked by financial struggles, failed merger talks with Honda, and the lingering impact of the Carlos Ghosn scandal. Ivan Espinosa, a veteran Nissan executive with extensive experience in product planning and electric vehicles, will take the helm on April 1st, tasked with navigating the company through a critical juncture and restoring its financial health.

Asian markets were mixed on Tuesday, with Chinese markets retreating after a strong rally on Wall Street fueled by hopes of a more targeted approach to tariffs by the Trump administration. The S&P 500 jumped 1.8% on Monday, but remains down 1.9% for the year due to concerns about the potential impact of a trade war.

Russia has permanently banned nine Japanese citizens, including Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, from entering the country in retaliation for Japan's sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict. This follows similar bans on 13 Japanese nationals in July 2024, reflecting Russia's use of entry bans as a response to international opposition.

Asian markets displayed a mixed performance on Wednesday, with Japan's Nikkei 225 edging up and Hong Kong's Hang Seng gaining slightly, while the Shanghai Composite remained relatively flat. The focus now shifts to the U.S. Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate decision and its forecasts for the economy.

Toyota Motor Corporation has postponed the construction of a lithium-ion battery factory in Fukuoka Prefecture due to sluggish demand for electric vehicles in the global market. The company is also considering pushing back the release date of its first next-generation EV model to ensure the quality of new technologies involved.