Insight Asia
Episodes
Iran war hits harder in Asia
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The conflict in the Middle East creates both economic and geopolitical turmoil, not least in Asia. Over 80 percent of the traffic through Hormuz is de...
6 (potential) surprises for Asia 2026
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Christmas Special Fredrik Hahnel and Sean Yokota line up 6 potential surprises in the coming year that may affect Asia and the world. Not a...
Gold. Gold. And Asia.
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The price of gold has surged this year. SEB's Sean Yokota is joined by Shaokai Fan, Head of Asia Pacific at the World Gold Council, to discuss how the...
China's shifting tides: Geopolitics, involution, and the race for AI
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Host Sean Yokota is joined by Fredrik Hännel and Peter Ling-Vannerus in this episode. They delve into the evolving geopolitical landscape in As...
Japan special – with Jens Magnusson
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Japan's economic situation is in this episode's spotlight: A weak yen, booming tourism, a nice recovery after Covid and a good position in the geopo...
On the ground in China right now
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do Chinese people think of the tariffs, and how they are handled? Are they behind President Xi's counterattacks "till the bitter end"? And how is...
10 (potential) surprises for Asia 2025
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this Christmas Special Fredrik Hahnel and Sean Yokota line up 10 potential surprises in the coming year that may affect Asia and the world. Not all...
How will the trillion yuan stimulus in China play out?
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The recent Chinese stimulus package of around one trillion yuan – how will it play out? Is it enough to turn the Chinese economy around or not? How ...
How will a new Trump term affect booming Vietnam?
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Vietnamese economy is doing well due to international trade. The country has also successfully juggled geopolitical tensions and alliances. But wh...
Taiwan, stock market woes and the property market – where will China go?
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Soon, the year of the Dragon begins, and China is facing more headwinds than ever. Like the Taiwanese election result, trade tensions with the EU and ...
It's all about India
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The status of India and its prospects are the topics of this month's podcast. Sean's and Fredrik's well-informed guest is Cecilia Oskarsson, at Busine...
C – the largest letter in BRICS
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sean Yokota, head of Markets for SEB in Asia and Fredrik Hähnel, head of SEB's Asia businesses, give the latest on the Chinese economy. The re-openi...
Reflections from latest trip to China
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sean Yokota, head of Markets for SEB in Asia, talks to his colleagues Fredrik Hähnel, head of SEB's Asia businesses, and Eugenia Victorino , head of...
Will China succeed in overtaking the dollar?
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Yokota and Hahnel this month dig deep into the renminbi and China's plans to make it a significant currency globally. What signs can be seen that this...
On the ground in China now
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chinese assets have had an excellent beginning to 2023, but what will happen after the Chinese New Year celebration? What kind of impact has the shelv...
Can three powerhouses in the southeast replace China?
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why is China already a World Cup winner? And why are Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines the most promising markets in Asia right now? Will they be...
On China. Of course.
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What were the key take aways from the recent Communist Party Congress? What will Xi's stregthened position mean? What do foreign investors and compani...
Inflation – coming in 2023
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sean Yokota and Fredrik Hähnel in an inflationary exposé over Asia. But also where China is going after Covid, their property bubble and energy cris...