Laos president says must lure more countries to invest
"Laos needs to rebuild its economy and become economically independent," Thongloun Sisoulith said in an exclusive interview last Friday on the sidelines of Nikkei's annual Future of Asia forum.
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Nikkei Asia
35 minutes ago
- Nikkei Asia
Thai-Cambodia clashes live: Trump seeks ceasefire, calls both sides
BANGKOK -- Military clashes between Thailand and Cambodia entered a second day on Friday, leaving "more than 20 deaths" in Thailand, according to the acting Thai prime minister, and one civilian dead in Cambodia. More than 130,000 people have been evacuated in Thailand, while Thai financial institutions with branches in Cambodia are gradually repatriating staff. Here are recent Nikkei Asia analysis and opinion articles on the crisis: - With war in mind, Thai military rolls out battle plans on Cambodia front - Cambodia seeks justice, not conflict, in border dispute with Thailand - Hun Sen's gamble: Why Cambodia ex-ruler turned on Thai ally Thaksin Follow the latest developments in this live blog. (Thailand and Cambodia time) For Thursday's developments, visit our previous live blog. July 26 10:45 p.m. U.S. President Donald Trump says he is seeking a ceasefire to the conflict, making calls to the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia. "I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation. Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE," Trump posts on Truth Social, adding he will relay the message to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. "After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!" Trump writes. July 25 9:17 p.m. Col. Richa Suksuwanont, deputy spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, announces a total loss of six military personnel, as of 8 p.m., during national defense operations in the clashes that broke out July 24. 8:33 p.m. The Thai government "agrees with in principle and will consider" Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's mediation effort for a ceasefire, but "any ceasefire must be based on appropriate on-the-ground conditions," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says in a social media post. It claims that Cambodian forces have continued attacks on Thai territory and their actions "demonstrate a lack of good faith." 8:30 p.m. Thailand declares martial law for eight districts in provinces of Chanthaburi and Trat, both near the Cambodia border, effective immediately. "This action has become unavoidably necessary to mobilize military, police, civilian forces, and the Thai public to defend the country from external threats to the Kingdom," the statement said. Martial law is implemented in Trat province's Khao Saming district and the following districts in Chanthaburi province: Mueang Chanthaburi, Tha Mai, Makham, Laem Sing, Kaeng Hang Maeo, Na Yai Am and Khao Khitchakut. 5:45 p.m. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet posts on social media about his position on the call for an immediate ceasefire, which was suggested by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Thai and Cambodian leaders on Thursday. "Cambodia agreed with his proposal for a ceasefire because Cambodia did not initiate this fighting," he said. According to Hun Manet, he received an initial response that the Thai side had agreed to his proposal for a ceasefire at midnight. "However, it is regrettable that just over an hour later, the Thai side informed that they had reversed their position from agreeing to the ceasefire at 12:00 AM on 24 July 2025, to not agreeing and waiting for a later date," he said. 5:20 p.m. At a news conference, Cambodia's Ministry of Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata detailed three separate attacks reported from the front lines. She said that Thailand had made four F-16 strikes at around noon near the ancient Preah Vihear temple complex and another contested temple site, Ta Krabei. Additionally, Thai strikes had hit Samraong town in Oddar Meanchey province, injuring children and elderly people. "The most regretful thing is that it affected children. In addition, it has completely destroyed the electricity grid in Samraong," she said. She added that four munitions had landed at the Monorom Primary School in Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, citing information from the Education Ministry. 4:20 p.m. The Thai Red Cross Society has launched a nationwide blood donation campaign. The drive is to replenish blood reserves and essential supplies for hospitals in the border regions affected by recent clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces. 3:10 p.m. Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts briefed members of the Preah Vihear temple's governing body, detailing the damage incurred after Thai armed forces allegedly used "heavy artillery" and "bombs from F-16s" at the heritage site and surrounding areas. This included visible damage to four entranceways at the temple and other structures at the site. The ministry also released photos and a map of the site where damage had occurred. 2:30 p.m. Thai army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree called Cambodia's allegations that Preah Vihear Temple was damaged due to Thai attacks "a clear distortion of the facts." "The Preah Vihear Temple was not within the direction or scope of Thai military operations," Winthai said in a statement. He made the comment after Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts said Thursday that Thailand's "aggression" has "caused significant damage to both the surrounding area and the structures" of the UNESCO World Heritage site. 2:05 p.m. Indonesian State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said he hoped that the Thai-Cambodia tensions will not intensify as it could have wider repercussions, including on Indonesia. He added, though, that the government would refrain from commenting on domestic political situations of other countries. About 166,000 Indonesians work in Cambodia and more than 2,300 live in Thailand, so the Indonesian foreign ministry is monitoring the situation closely. "We will ensure the safety of our citizens. And if anything happens, we have mitigation measures in place," Hadi said. 1:50 p.m. Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, the spokesperson of Thailand's ad hoc center for the border said the Ministry of Interior has now evacuated more than 130,000 civilians from Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon-Ratchathani provinces. "The provinces have established evacuation shelters capable of accommodating over 300,000 people and deployed village security units to ensure the safety of civilians in various areas," he said. He added the Ministry of Public Health has evacuated 11 hospitals. 1:10 p.m. Thai financial institutions with branches in Cambodia are gradually repatriating staff, according to the Bank of Thailand's Assistant Governor Suwannee Jatsadasak. "All of them are expected to return by today," she said, adding that some branches in the border provinces have been closed. "As for impacts to Thailand, uncertainty remains in many dimensions, and it is too soon to make assessments. BOT will continue to monitor the situation closely," she said. 1 p.m. Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson of Thailand's ad hoc center for the border situation, told reporters that as of 8:30 a.m., the Cambodian forces continued to use heavy weapons to attack the front lines and rear areas, affecting civilians. Clashes have been reported in 12 locations, according to Surasant. 12:40 p.m. Thailand's Interior Ministry said it had evacuated 100,672 civilians from the four provinces affected by the cross-border clashes with Cambodia. A total of 56,000 people were moved in Surin province, 17,196 in Sisaket, 17,000 in Buriram and 10,476 people in Ubon Ratchathari. 12:30 p.m. The Thai armed forces said it believes Hun Sen, the former Cambodian prime minister, is behind the attack on civilian targets, calling for international organizations to investigate. "Targeting civilians with intent is a war crime, and those responsible must be brought to justice," Maj. Gen. Vithai Laithomya, spokesperson of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, said in a statement. "Based on the available evidence, it is believed that the Cambodian government, led by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, is behind these heartbreaking attacks." 12:15 p.m. The contested areas on the Thai-Cambodia border are in the Thai provinces of Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon-Ratchathani and the Cambodian provinces of Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vinear. Two of the biggest flashpoints are the Prasat Ta Moan Thom and Preah Vihear temples. 11:25 a.m. Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters that he had received reports of "more than 20 deaths" and several people severely injured. He also talked about his conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who spoke to the leaders of both sides calling for an immediate ceasefire, on Thursday evening. "I told him I'm OK with it in principle. But to specify [the] exact time and date, I ask Cambodia first to prove their intention that they really mean it," he said. "We've been adhering to the principle of peace and trying to request negotiation, but they never cared, and it is us who always proposed... conditions. It shows their lack of sincerity." 11:20 a.m. The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) released a statement Friday saying that ground reports from local authorities and demining teams showed that Thailand had used cluster munitions in populated areas around Phnom Khmuoch, near the border. "The use of cluster munitions -- especially in or near civilian areas -- is an unacceptable escalation. It shows complete disregard for human life, humanitarian principles and regional peace," said Ly Thuch, vice president of the CMAA. Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata reiterated the accusation at a press conference and claimed it demonstrated Thailand's willingness to break international law. Thailand and Cambodia are not parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the production, use and stockpiling of cluster munitions. 10:15 a.m. Indonesia's foreign ministry said that the country was closely following the development. "We are confident that the two neighboring countries will immediately return to peaceful means to settle their differences in line with the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation," it said in a social media post. 10 a.m. Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Chhum Socheat said on Friday that firing continued overnight but the intensity of shelling was less than the previous day. He also claimed that the Thai military was using surveillance drones in Preah Vihear province. "At around 2 a.m., shots were fired from both sides along the border," Socheat said. "There has been an exchange of fire from last night until this morning. Our soldiers are in control and protecting all areas, but the Thais are still trying to fly drones to shoot at our areas." Chhum Socheat did not comment on whether there were any casualties among civilians and military personnel. However, Met Measpheakdey, deputy governor of Oddar Meanchey province -- where firing was reported on Thursday -- said one civilian was killed and five others injured. Thailand's Second Army Area, which is leading the fighting along the Thai border, also said clashes continued on Friday. 7:50 a.m. The deputy spokesperson of Thailand's Ministry of Health, Varoth Chotpitayasunondh, has posted updated Thai casualty figures on his Facebook account. He said 13 civilians and one soldier were killed and 32 civilians and 14 soldiers injured.
Kyodo News
9 hours ago
- Kyodo News
FOCUS: Nikkei likely to stay above 40,000 despite political uncertainty
TOKYO - Boosted by a Japan-U.S. trade deal, the Nikkei stock index is expected to stay afloat above the 40,000 threshold at least for a while, despite political uncertainty created by the major setback suffered by Japan's ruling parties in a recent national election. The benchmark may soon break its record high by surpassing 42,224.02 registered a year ago, but the market could face a downside risk if long-term interest rates surge further due to expectations of expansionary fiscal measures like a consumption tax cut. "With uncertainty over tariff negotiations dispelled, it makes it easier for companies to foresee future earnings, helping to support the stock market," said Maki Sawada, a strategist at the Investment Content Department of Nomura Securities Co. The Nikkei added more than 2,000 points over the two days through Thursday after the agreement that U.S. tariffs on imported Japanese cars and other goods will be lowered sharply to 15 percent, although the yield on the key 10-year government bond spiked to 1.600 percent, its highest level since 2008. "As long as higher interest rates are accompanied by improving business performance, stocks will rise as seen in the past," Sawada said, expecting the index to be supported around the 40,000 line. The market is likely to be buoyed by hopes for upward revisions in earnings after some major companies like Toyota Motor Co. projected a hefty 35 percent drop in net profit for this fiscal year by factoring in an additional 25 percent tariff imposed by Washington from April. Trade data show that Japan's shipments to the United States, the largest export destination for Japanese automakers, dropped 11.4 percent in value terms in June from a year earlier for the third consecutive monthly decline, contributing to a 30.8 percent plunge in its trade surplus with the country. "Stocks may be further lifted by positive incentives like more U.S. trade deals with the European Union and China, as well as economic data and earnings," possibly sending the Nikkei to the 44,000 level at one point, said Masahiro Yamaguchi, head of investment research at SMBC Trust Bank. While many analysts believe the current level of long-term interest rates at around 1.6 percent is unlikely to be an obstacle for stocks to chase higher ground, a spike toward 2 percent may stir concerns about increased borrowing costs and dent market sentiment. Situations surrounding the bond market suggest the likelihood of the yield climbing further, as the Japan-U.S. trade deal helped ease concern about the prospects of the domestic economy and will make it easier for the Bank of Japan to further raise interest rates. The tariff deal is a "big step forward," as it reduces economic uncertainty facing Japanese companies under U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policy, BOJ Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida said Wednesday. His remark fueled speculation that the central bank will increase the policy rate again after raising it three times since March last year to around 0.50 percent, as it shifts from a decade of unorthodox monetary easing. "Given that the tariff negotiations ended up with a desirable agreement despite expectations of tough going, the recession risk in the second half of this year has alleviated considerably," said Daiju Aoki, chief Japan economist at UBS SuMi TRUST Wealth Management Co. "Japan's interest rates are likely to remain elevated with the probability of a rate hike by the end of year increasing significantly," Aoki said, adding that investors will adopt a cautious stance about buying bonds, whose prices move inversely to yields. Reflecting expectations for weakening demand, the auction for 40-year government bonds held Wednesday was sluggish, with the bid-to-cover ratio standing at 2.13 percent, its lowest level since 2011. Higher yields also followed on from the results of Sunday's House of Councillors election, which raised the possibility that expansionary fiscal measures may be adopted in the future, leading to further deterioration in Japan's fiscal health. The Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito suffered a major setback in the election, losing their majority in the upper house, with opposition forces urging that the consumption tax be cut, suspended, or even abolished to ease the pain of inflation. The ruling coalition, meanwhile, pledged to deliver cash handouts, which are likely to require fewer financial resources. "Currently the key long-term yield remains at around 1.6 percent, as there have not been specific moves leading to stimulus measures such as reducing the consumption tax," said Yutaka Miura, senior technical analyst at Mizuho Securities Co. "But if such moves come into sight, such as opposition parties starting to request such measures, the yield could climb further," he said, adding that it could affect negatively to the stock market if it rises to between 1.7 and 1.8 percent.
Japan Today
10 hours ago
- Japan Today
Nikkei likely to stay above 40,000 despite political uncertainty
A financial data monitor in Tokyo shows the Nikkei Stock Average climbing above 42,000 on July 24, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo By Risako Nakanishi Boosted by a Japan-U.S. trade deal, the Nikkei stock index is expected to stay afloat above the 40,000 threshold at least for a while, despite political uncertainty created by the major setback suffered by Japan's ruling parties in a recent national election. The benchmark may soon break its record high by surpassing 42,224.02 registered a year ago, but the market could face a downside risk if long-term interest rates surge further due to expectations of expansionary fiscal measures like a consumption tax cut. "With uncertainty over tariff negotiations dispelled, it makes it easier for companies to foresee future earnings, helping to support the stock market," said Maki Sawada, a strategist at the Investment Content Department of Nomura Securities Co. The Nikkei added more than 2,000 points over the two days through Thursday after the agreement that U.S. tariffs on imported Japanese cars and other goods will be lowered sharply to 15 percent, although the yield on the key 10-year government bond spiked to 1.600 percent, its highest level since 2008. "As long as higher interest rates are accompanied by improving business performance, stocks will rise as seen in the past," Sawada said, expecting the index to be supported around the 40,000 line. The market is likely to be buoyed by hopes for upward revisions in earnings after some major companies like Toyota Motor Co. projected a hefty 35 percent drop in net profit for this fiscal year by factoring in an additional 25 percent tariff imposed by Washington from April. Trade data show that Japan's shipments to the United States, the largest export destination for Japanese automakers, dropped 11.4 percent in value terms in June from a year earlier for the third consecutive monthly decline, contributing to a 30.8 percent plunge in its trade surplus with the country. "Stocks may be further lifted by positive incentives like more U.S. trade deals with the European Union and China, as well as economic data and earnings," possibly sending the Nikkei to the 44,000 level at one point, said Masahiro Yamaguchi, head of investment research at SMBC Trust Bank. While many analysts believe the current level of long-term interest rates at around 1.6 percent is unlikely to be an obstacle for stocks to chase higher ground, a spike toward 2 percent may stir concerns about increased borrowing costs and dent market sentiment. Situations surrounding the bond market suggest the likelihood of the yield climbing further, as the Japan-U.S. trade deal helped ease concern about the prospects of the domestic economy and will make it easier for the Bank of Japan to further raise interest rates. The tariff deal is a "big step forward," as it reduces economic uncertainty facing Japanese companies under U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policy, BOJ Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida said Wednesday. His remark fueled speculation that the central bank will increase the policy rate again after raising it three times since March last year to around 0.50 percent, as it shifts from a decade of unorthodox monetary easing. "Given that the tariff negotiations ended up with a desirable agreement despite expectations of tough going, the recession risk in the second half of this year has alleviated considerably," said Daiju Aoki, chief Japan economist at UBS SuMi TRUST Wealth Management Co. "Japan's interest rates are likely to remain elevated with the probability of a rate hike by the end of year increasing significantly," Aoki said, adding that investors will adopt a cautious stance about buying bonds, whose prices move inversely to yields. Reflecting expectations for weakening demand, the auction for 40-year government bonds held Wednesday was sluggish, with the bid-to-cover ratio standing at 2.13 percent, its lowest level since 2011. Higher yields also followed on from the results of Sunday's House of Councillors election, which raised the possibility that expansionary fiscal measures may be adopted in the future, leading to further deterioration in Japan's fiscal health. The Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito suffered a major setback in the election, losing their majority in the upper house, with opposition forces urging that the consumption tax be cut, suspended, or even abolished to ease the pain of inflation. The ruling coalition, meanwhile, pledged to deliver cash handouts, which are likely to require fewer financial resources. "Currently the key long-term yield remains at around 1.6 percent, as there have not been specific moves leading to stimulus measures such as reducing the consumption tax," said Yutaka Miura, senior technical analyst at Mizuho Securities Co. "But if such moves come into sight, such as opposition parties starting to request such measures, the yield could climb further," he said, adding that it could affect negatively to the stock market if it rises to between 1.7 and 1.8 percent. © KYODO
