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Sabah Election Heats Up as Thailand Motor Expo Showcases EV Shift, India Reports GDP Growth

KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA – November 25, 2023 ⁣ – East MalaysiaS Sabah state is bracing for a fiercely contested election with 73​ seats and a ​record 596 candidates, highlighting a fragmented political landscape. The vote is considered a key test of sentiment regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 -⁤ the document establishing the federation including Sabah – ⁤and demands for greater autonomy and resource control.The ‍outcome is widely ⁤anticipated ‍to⁣ influence the direction of Malaysian politics ahead of ‍the next general election.

Meanwhile, the annual Thailand International Motor Expo ‍is underway in Bangkok, running through December 10th. The event features global automakers including BYD (China), Toyota ⁣(Japan), and​ Hyundai (South⁤ Korea). A surge in chinese electric vehicles is notably impacting the market share of Japanese manufacturers, with companies ⁣expected ‍to showcase their latest models.

In economic news,⁣ India’s GDP grew 7.6% in the second quarter, exceeding expectations and‌ solidifying its position as one‍ of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. The growth is attributed to strong‍ government spending and private ⁢consumption.

Japanese Anime, Manga Creators See Limited‌ Gains From Global Streaming Boom

TOKYO – The‍ surging international popularity of Japanese anime adn⁣ manga, fueled by streaming giants like Netflix, is creating a paradox for creators: wider audiences aren’t translating into greater financial rewards from merchandising.‍ Despite ⁢record-breaking viewership, Japanese intellectual property (IP) owners are largely missing out on ​the lucrative revenue streams generated by global demand for ‌related goods.

The issue stems from complex rights structures and ancient industry practices.While ⁣streaming‌ services pay for content ⁣licenses,the rights to merchandise – figures,apparel,and ⁣other branded products – ‌often remain with Japanese⁢ companies⁢ that lack⁤ the ⁤infrastructure or expertise to effectively capitalize on international markets.This leaves notable profits on the table as global fans clamor for⁣ officially licensed products, frequently enough⁣ settling for unauthorized versions.

“‘One Piece’ ​and other Japanese IPs have become more popular‌ than⁣ ever thanks to the massive⁤ reach of streaming services,” explained industry analyst Kenji Sato. “But ⁣their creators are not benefiting ⁣from the lucrative⁢ merchandising rights that come with a global audience.”

The situation highlights a broader ‍challenge for Japan’s creative industries. Historically focused⁤ on domestic sales,manny companies ⁣are ⁢ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of international licensing,manufacturing,and distribution. This is particularly true for ⁣smaller manga artists and animation studios, who may lack the resources to negotiate favorable deals or protect their IP from⁢ infringement.

Netflix’s live-action adaptation of “One Piece,” for example, has dramatically increased the franchise’s global visibility.⁣ However,‌ the ​merchandising revenue generated by the​ show primarily benefits Netflix and its partners, not the original manga‍ creator Eiichiro Oda or his publisher Shueisha.

Experts suggest several potential solutions, including increased collaboration between⁣ Japanese IP holders and international merchandising specialists, government support for overseas⁢ expansion, and legal reforms to strengthen IP protection. The current imbalance threatens to stifle ‍future creativity and investment in Japan’s globally ‌influential anime and manga industries.

Greenland Seeks⁢ Allies for Rare ⁢Earth Development, Aiming‍ to⁣ Diversify supply Chain

NUUK, Greenland – Greenland⁤ Prime Minister Jens-Frederik ‌Nielsen ⁣announced Wednesday ⁤the territory is actively seeking partnerships with nations possessing “good democracy” to develop its notable rare-earth⁤ mineral​ resources. The move comes as global demand for these ‌critical​ materials intensifies and countries increasingly look to reduce reliance on China, currently the ⁣dominant supplier.

In​ an exclusive interview with Nikkei, Nielsen underscored Greenland’s commitment⁣ to responsible resource development through collaboration with like-minded partners. This initiative ​responds to a growing international concern over supply chain vulnerabilities, especially regarding rare earths essential for technologies ranging from electric⁤ vehicles and ​wind turbines to defence systems.

Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, holds considerable reserves of rare-earth elements, attracting ⁤attention as ‍nations strive‌ to build more resilient and diversified supply chains. The Prime Minister’s statement signals a clear intent to leverage these resources while prioritizing partnerships aligned with democratic values.

AI Boom Creates Critical Shortage in High-Bandwidth Memory, Threatening Electronics Supply Chain

TOKYO – ⁤ the surging demand for artificial intelligence is triggering a‌ severe shortage of high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a crucial component for AI processing, sparking warnings ⁣of price increases and potential delays for a wide⁣ range of consumer electronics. The bottleneck is impacting manufacturers across Asia and globally,raising concerns about the ‌future availability and cost⁢ of everything from smartphones and gaming consoles to data centre servers.

HBM, which stacks multiple layers of DRAM to ‍deliver faster connections and higher transfer rates, has become indispensable for powering ‍the latest AI applications. As AI models grow in complexity, requiring exponentially more processing power, demand for HBM is far outpacing⁣ supply. This​ imbalance threatens to slow the rollout of new AI-powered ⁣products⁢ and could inflate prices for consumers. The situation highlights the fragility of‌ the global semiconductor supply chain⁢ and the critical ⁤importance of specialized components like HBM in the age of​ artificial intelligence.

Currently, South Korean giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, along with Taiwan’s TSMC,⁤ dominate‍ HBM production. According‍ to industry ⁤analysts, current HBM supply is struggling to ‍meet even 50% of demand, a figure expected to worsen in ‍the ‍coming months. “The demand is just‍ exploding,” said ‍Lauly Li, a​ technology analyst at‍ Nikkei Asia. “Everyone⁤ wants to get their hands on HBM, but there simply isn’t enough to go around.”

The shortage is notably‍ acute for HBM3, the latest generation of the technology, which is essential for cutting-edge AI applications. Lead times for‌ HBM3 are stretching to over ‍a year, forcing companies to scramble for alternative solutions or delay product launches. Kim Jaewon, a⁢ semiconductor industry expert, notes that the⁣ situation is ​not limited to AI-specific hardware. “Even ​consumer electronics incorporating AI features, like advanced image processing in smartphones, are feeling the pinch.”

The impact is already being​ felt. ⁣Nvidia, ⁣a leading designer⁣ of gpus used in AI, has warned of potential supply constraints. Smartphone manufacturers are reportedly re-evaluating their product roadmaps, and gaming console producers are bracing for ⁣potential delays in releasing new models.

Industry insiders predict the HBM shortage could persist well into 2026, even as manufacturers invest⁣ heavily in expanding production capacity. The long lead times for building‌ new fabrication facilities ⁣and ​the complexity of⁤ HBM ‍manufacturing mean that supply will struggle​ to catch up with demand in the short term. This situation underscores the​ need for diversification⁢ in‌ the‌ semiconductor supply chain and continued investment‌ in advanced memory technologies‍ to avoid future disruptions.