Bloomberg China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings Co is planning an initial public offering of a real estate investment trust in Hong Kong, the city’s first REIT listing in five years, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The company has engaged potential advisers for the share sale and aims for a listing as soon as this year, the ...

Bloomberg Japan doesn’t see a quick resumption of talks with South Korea on export restrictions for materials vital to its tech sector, as a deadline approaches for Tokyo to step up curbs on its neighbour. Economy Minister Hiroshige Seko told reporters that export controls were not a matter for international organisations. His comments came the day after South Korean President ...

Bloomberg The retailer Muji became one of Japan’s most recognisable brands by selling simple, practical items that it hopes will last for decades. It turns out, though, that “less is more” has its limits as a business strategy. After a decade of expansion that brought its minimalist emporia of modular shelving, sturdy kitchen gear and earth-tone fashions to cities from ...