author

 
 

Meta

Julie Zhu
For Julie Zhu's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
TikTok accounts for a small share of ByteDance's total revenues and daily active users, so the parent would rather have the app shut down in the U.S. in a worst-case scenario than sell it to a potential American buyer, sources said.
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 26, 2024
ByteDance prefers TikTok shutdown in U.S. if legal options fail, sources say
A shutdown would have limited impact on its business, and it would not have to give up its "secret sauce" — the algorithm that pushes videos to users.
Chinese civil servants and employees of state-linked enterprises are facing tighter constraints on private travel abroad and scrutiny of their foreign connections.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 17, 2023
China tightens curbs on foreign travel by bankers and state workers
Individuals' accounts varied but were consistent in describing heightened scrutiny of overseas travel even after China reopened borders in January.
People visit Semicon China, a trade fair for semiconductor technology, in Shanghai in 2021
BUSINESS
Aug 24, 2023
China quietly hires overseas chip talent as U.S. tightens curbs
The revamped recruitment drive is said to offer perks including home-purchase subsidies and typical signing bonuses of $420,000 to $700,000.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 7, 2023
China ends Ant Group's regulatory revamp with fine of nearly $1 billion
The penalty, one of the largest ever fines for an internet company in the country, will help pave the way for the fintech firm to secure a financial holding company license.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 14, 2022
China readying $143 billion package for its chip firms in face of U.S. curbs
The plan marks a major step toward self-sufficiency in chips and looks to counter U.S. moves aimed at slowing its technological advances.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 1, 2022
Dashed dreams for China Evergrande's showpiece resort island
Officials in Danzhou city have ordered 39 of Ocean Flower Island's towers to be demolished over environmental and construction violations.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 5, 2021
Jack Ma, Trump and Xi: How a Chinese billionaire flew close to the sun
The story of the billionaire e-commerce tycoon's fall from official favor helps illustrate how rapidly China has transformed under Xi Jinping.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 2, 2020
Secrecy and speed: Inside Ant Group’s unusual IPO process
The fintech giant is following a highly unusual process that draws on some of the tactics its former parent and affiliate Alibaba Group has previously used.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 27, 2018
As China builds biotech sector, cash floods U.S. startups
For three whirlwind days in June, U.S. scientist Zhi Hong went shopping at the Boston Bio Conference to find drugs to fill the pipeline of his 2-week-old drug company.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores