BYD Launches Rapid EV Charging Technology in China
China's BYD has introduced electric vehicle technology that allows charging from 10% to 70% in five minutes, utilizing its Blade Battery 2.0 and 1,500 kW FLASH charging system. The company aims to expand its charging infrastructure to 20,000 stations across China by the end of this year, having already installed over 4,200. Meanwhile, the U.S. has added over 18,000 DC fast-charging ports in 2025, but current American EVs are not yet capable of handling the high power levels that BYD's technology offers.
Japan's Corporations Plan Third Year of Wage Increases
Japan's large corporations are poised to implement wage increases of 5% or more for the third consecutive year, as confirmed by the annual spring wage negotiations. This trend reflects a shifting job market characterized by a shrinking workforce and rising global competition for talent, with the average annual salary in Japan reaching approximately ¥4.6 million in 2023. The ongoing wage growth is occurring alongside rising living costs, particularly in major cities like Tokyo.
Tesla and LG Energy Solution sign $4.3 billion battery deal
Tesla and LG Energy Solution have signed a $4.3 billion supply agreement to establish a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cell manufacturing facility in Lansing, Michigan, with production set to begin in 2027. This partnership aims to support Tesla's Megapack 3 energy storage systems, enhancing the domestic battery supply chain amid rising tariffs on Chinese imports. The Lansing plant, which LG Energy Solution fully owns after acquiring General Motors' stake in May 2025, will have a production capacity of 50 GWh per year.
Nippon Steel secures $5.7 billion loan for U.S. Steel acquisition
Nippon Steel Corp. has secured approximately 900 billion yen ($5.7 billion) in loans from a consortium of public and private financial institutions, including the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, to support its acquisition of United States Steel Corp. This follows Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel for $14.1 billion in June last year, and the company plans to refinance these loans within a year to mitigate the impact of high interest rates on its finances.
Victory Capital Raises Janus Henderson Acquisition Offer to $40
Victory Capital has raised its offer to acquire Janus Henderson to $40 per share in cash and a fixed exchange ratio of 0.25 shares of Victory Capital stock for each Janus Henderson share, challenging an existing $7.4 billion take-private agreement backed by Trian Fund Management and General Catalyst. This revised proposal, which values Janus Henderson at approximately $8.6 billion, aims to provide greater certainty to shareholders and reflects a 37% premium over Janus Henderson's unaffected share price as of October 2025. Janus Henderson's special committee is currently reviewing the offer, while continuing to recommend approval of the existing transaction.
JPMorgan-led banks suspend Qualtrics $5.3 billion debt deal
A group of banks led by JPMorgan Chase & Co. has halted a $5.3 billion debt deal for Qualtrics International Inc. due to investor concerns over the impact of artificial intelligence on the software industry. Qualtrics' existing loan has decreased to about 86 cents on the dollar in secondary trading, down from nearly par value in February, prompting investors to seek cheaper options in the market.
