According to The Australian Financial Review, Indian energy giant Adani could begin construction of its controversial $2 billion Carmichael mine within three weeks after the Palaszczuk government announced its final deadlines for environmental approvals.
In what could be the end of a decade-long struggle to gain approvals for the thermal coal mine in central Queensland, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Friday said the deadline for the final two environmental approvals would be resolved by mid-June.
​
https://www.afr.com/business/mining/adani-mine-could-start-by-mid-june-20190524-p51qq9

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
https://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/-62210559

According to The Nikkei Asian Review, stock prices for Japanese and Australian producers of minor metals shot up on Wednesday as investors bet on alternatives to Chinese rare-earth suppliers amid speculation that Beijing could restrict exports to the U.S. as part of the ongoing trade war.
Japan's Toho Titanium and Osaka Titanium Technologies rose 3.8% and 3.6%, respectively, on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Wednesday.
"Indirect cash flows through exchange-traded funds [that invest in minor-metal companies] were considered a positive factor as well," said Takehiko Masuzawa of Macquarie Capital Securities (Japan). The VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF fund jumped 5% in the U.S. on Tuesday.
Australian miners Lynas and Pilbara Minerals enjoyed gains of 7.5% and 7.1%, respectively, on Wednesday.
But other analysts do not expect potential export restrictions to provide a boon to minor-metal producers.
The trend was triggered by Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to a rare-earth processing facility in China on Monday. China is the world's largest producer of rare-earth metals and minerals, as well as a processor of rare-earth ores. These materials are used in the production of electronics, electric vehicles and defense equipment.
"Japanese companies deal with products like titanium for use in aircraft, and have little overlap with Chinese players," said Emiri Shigeoka of Daiwa Securities. "They probably will see a limited boost from those seeking alternatives to China."
​
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Markets/Commodities/Minor-metal-stocks-gain-on-fears-of-Beijing-rare-earth-ban

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
https://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/5400298 
​

According to The Australian Financial Review, when it comes to diagnosing serious health issues, computers are beginning to outpace human experts. A new study by Google and several medical centres has found the machines are as good as, or better than, doctors at detecting tiny lung cancers on CT scans.
The technology is a work in progress and is not ready for widespread use, but the report, which was published on Monday in the journal Nature Medicine, offers a glimpse of how artificial intelligence will be used in medicine.
One of the most promising areas is recognising patterns and interpreting images – the same skills humans use to read microscope slides, X-rays, MRIs and other medical scans.
By feeding huge amounts of data from medical imaging into systems called artificial neural networks, researchers can train computers to recognise patterns linked to a specific condition, like pneumonia, cancer or a wrist fracture that would be hard for a person to see. The system follows an algorithm, or set of instructions, and learns as it goes. The more data it receives, the better it becomes at interpretation.
​
https://www.afr.com/business/health/google-ai-can-spot-lung-cancer-like-an-expert-20190521-p51pj7

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
https://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/ai5716505
​

According to The Australian Financial Review, Australia's biggest export earners, iron ore and coking coal, should be fetching stronger than expected prices in coming years according to Credit Suisse.
The bank expects iron-ore prices to increase from current levels of about $US95 ($137) per tonne to $US110 per tonne in the period between July and September, as the peak buying season for Chinese steel mills coincides with supply weakness from Brazil after January's tailings dam disaster.
Credit Suisse expects iron ore to average $US85 per tonne in 2020; well above the $US55 per tonne (excluding the cost of freight, which is typically about $US6) that the Australian government has forecast for March 2020.
Credit Suisse has forecast iron ore to average $US75 per tonne and $US65 per tonne in 2021 and 2022.
The bank has upgraded its hard coking coal price forecast for 2019 by 27 per cent to $US203 per tonne; the price was $US212 per tonne earlier last week.
Credit Suisse expects the price to remain above $US200 per tonne in 2020 and 2021, before easing to an average $US180 per tonne in 2022.
​
https://www.afr.com/business/mining/credit-suisse-tips-iron-ore-coking-coal-price-20190515-p51npk

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
https://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/6053674 
​

According to The Australian Financial Review, gas buyers on the east coast aren't seeing the benefit of lower spot prices for LNG in Asia, with east coast prices rising in April from March to a level as much as $2 a gigajoule higher than a year ago, the latest analysis of the market by consultancy EnergyQuest has confirmed.
The firm found that short-term prices reached the low $9s a gigajoule range in Queensland and about $10/GJ further south, despite a dip in LNG exports from Gladstone and surplus gas from the north-east flowing south to other states.
There was no LNG was shipped from Queensland to the Asian spot market last month, with all the gas sold under long-term contracts which are based on crude oil prices and are more expensive. Netbacks based on contract LNG prices were therefore higher than the spot "netback".
"This demonstrates the importance of oil prices, more so than LNG spot prices," EnergyQuest said of the influences on gas prices in the eastern states, where manufacturers are being crippled by domestic tariffs that in some cases have trebled in a few years.
EnergyQuest noted an apparent "jump-up" in east coast short-term prices since last July of $1-$2 a gigajoule, coinciding with an average increase in exports from Gladstone and higher oil prices.
​
https://www.afr.com/business/energy/gas/east-coast-gas-price-defies-weakness-in-lng-20190517-p51oh5

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
https://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/lng2291137 
​

According to The Australian Financial Review, Homegrown logistics giant Goodman Group has put its $43 billion global property credentials on display - yet again - after signing up BMW to lease a 70,000-square-metre regional distribution centre in Tokyo.
The pre-lease agreement for the new multi-storey facility at Goodman's Chiba business and technology precinct is the eighth global deal struck so far with the German premium car and motorcycle maker.
BMW currently occupies 200,000 sq m of Goodman warehouses in Australia, Europe, China and New Zealand. Goodman also has global partnerships with online retailer Amazon.com and develops huge new sheds for retailers and logistics groups including Walmart, Wesfarmers, DHL and Toll.
​
https://www.afr.com/real-estate/commercial/big-in-japan-goodman-seals-70-000-sqm-bmw-lease-20190509-p51lop

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
https://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/bmw7 
​

According to The Australian Financial Review, AGL Energy chief executive Brett Redman says Australia needs to be “steely-eyed” on the transition to cleaner energy, pacing the closure of coal power generators carefully to avoid a shock to the economy but without losing sight of the end goal.
Mr Redman said he was “really worried about where the economy is heading”, driven by “disruption” in the power sector, and as head of the country’s biggest coal power generator he wanted to work with government and other stakeholders to help manage the way forward.
In any case, he sees coal plants as crucial to help manage the shift to low-carbon energy while keeping supply reliable and affordable.
“What we need to do ... is to make sure we go forward in a way that doesn’t bring down the economy in trying to move too quickly,” he said.
​
https://www.afr.com/business/energy/electricity/agl-ceo-urges-steely-eyed-approach-on-energy-transition-20190507-p51ks9

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
https://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/agl7972073 
​

According to The Australian Financial Review, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation is tipping $4 million into a $7.9 million capital raising for a NSW manufacturer of carbon fibre tanks for dangerous liquids that use a lot less energy and emit less carbon dioxide than conventional steel tanks.
Omni Tanker's carbon fibre-reinforced polymer tanks are 35 per cent lighter than conventional stainless or carbon steel tanks used for chemicals and corrosive liquids, and are more resistant to corrosion, which means they can more easily switch loads and make fewer wasteful empty trips.
That means a big reduction in fuel consumption, energy used in manufacturing and carbon emissions – which are all of growing importance to heavy transport which is under pressure to reduce its carbon emissions and costs but doesn't have ready battery-powered alternatives.
​
https://www.afr.com/business/manufacturing/carbon-fibre-tanker-maker-wins-climate-change-funds-20190502-p51jaw

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
https://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/4388812
​

According to The Australian Financial Review, Singapore-based online shopping start-up ShopBack launched in Australia last April, offering consumers the chance to earn money back on e-commerce transactions with the likes of ASOS, eBay, Booking.com and Woolworths Online.
The new funding round brought the company’s total funding to $US83 million, being led by Singapore-based EV Growth and US-based online cashback pioneer Ebates.
It goes up against well-established Australian rival Cashrewards in the local market, which has a bigger market share, but was later to market with its mobile app.
ShopBack Australia country general manager Angus Muffet described the funding round as a "pivotal moment" for the company in Australia, as it expands from offering money back on traditional retail purchases to incorporate other categories like travel, ride hailing and food delivery.
"Evidenced by the strength in our numbers to date and the growth in online retail in the region it is possible for us to make ShopBack a daily shopping experience for Australians," Mr Muffet said.
​
https://www.afr.com/technology/web/ecommerce/start-up-to-be-facebook-of-online-shopping-20190414-p51dzn

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
https://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/e
​

According to The Australian Financial Review, Macquarie Group's pioneering move to start selling second-hand smartphones on mobile plans has turned the heads of incumbent telcos, with at least two major players confirming they are already considering following suit.
Vodafone, Australia's third biggest carrier, said it was looking at options to launch some sort of used smartphone deal.
A Telstra spokesman also confirmed the nation's biggest carrier was open to the model. "We don't currently sell second-hand devices direct to customers but we are always listening and working with our customers and would consider our options if it is something they wanted," he said.
Recently, The Australian Financial Review revealed Macquarie Group would launch Nu Mobile, a mobile retailer that offers mobile plans bundled with used smartphones. The new telco has already "soft-launched" products for Macquarie staff, and will launch on the wider market in the coming months.
​
https://www.afr.com/business/telecommunications/big-telcos-eye-used-smartphone-market-20190426-p51hin

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
https://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/2319753 
​