Hi everyone! This is Cheng Ting-Fang, your #techasia host this week, waving hello from Taipei!
I just returned from a brief trip to Tokyo, where I enjoyed fresh sashimi and sizzling barbecue. The summer heat was scorching and as intense as Taiwan’s tropical humidity. It’s been years since I have seen Tokyo through a tourist’s eyes and this time a few things stood out. On ordinary weekdays, children are a rare sight in the city and on trains. And outside of izakayas and tourist-frequented restaurants, Japan’s dining spots are remarkably quiet.
But this has been an eventful summer, with the US announcing new tariff rates for most countries. Upcoming tariffs of 100 per cent on foreign-made semiconductors are creating further uncertainties for the second half of 2025. Several tech industry executives told me they have modest expectations for the remainder of the year — traditionally a peak season for many sectors. In fact, many would consider it a best-case scenario if they can simply match the revenue and profit levels of 2024.