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Reports on the economic transformation of Asian countries due to offshore private investors. Profiles of several Asian businessmen; Fluctuations in the wealth of Asian entrepreneurs and their willingness to take risks; The role of information technology in India; How the structure of Japanese companies changed with the advent of the Internet and the effect it has on older workers; Distrust of the Japanese media for young entrepreneurs. INSET: Pachinko Warrior.

The article presents an interview with former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew about the Asian financial crisis in 1998. Topics covered include the steps that could be taken by the U.S. and the European countries to help alleviate the financial crisis, whether Asia can recover if the Japanese yen stays weak, and his views on the currency board for Indonesia.

Profiles Asian businessman Robert Kuok and his deal with the Coca-Cola Co. His business dealings in the East; Kuok's personal background and early experiences; How Kuok built his company, the Kerry Group and his Shangri-La hotels; His interests in China as a market. INSET: A tasteful host..

Focuses on Asia's ethnic Chinese and comments on the success of many of them at creating wealth and enriching others in their homeland. Dhanin Chearavanont, of Thailand, one of the wealthiest people in the world--and his Sino-Tha empire, the Charoen Pokphand Group; Overseas Chinese and economic development in other areas. INSET: Carriers of prosperity.

Discusses the effects of the Asian financial crisis. United States industries which are closing plants and announcing losses; Asian firms' export to the US of products they cannot sell at home; Estimate of 1998 Asian private consumption; Japan's reluctance to close factories; Asian failure to come to terms with the self-correcting mechanism of the capital market system; The US trade deficit with China; US steel industry requests for government protection.

Reports on the software piracy industry in Asia. The example of Walt Disney's animated film `Mulan' being sold illegally in shopping arcades in Hong Kong on video compact disc (VCD); The cost to American companies in terms of lost revenues; Piracy of entertainment software attracting organized crime; Effect of piracy on the Hong Kong film industry; Copyright piracy and the problem of Asia's economic collapse; Reason the United States is not a market for pirated copies.

Interviews former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. His thoughts on Asian economic success; The future of the United States economy; Whether the US can compete in Asia; China; Human rights; Entitlement programs; More.

The article looks at economic conditions in the Asian city-states of Hong Kong and Singapore as of April 1994. Topics include their status as financial, trading, and service hubs for mainland China and Southeast Asia. Other topics include the shift in their industries from labor-intensive manufacturing to high-value manufacturing. Taxation, government spending, and employee benefits and pensions in the two cities are also discussed.

This article explains the economic expansion of emerging Asian countries. The expansion has helped increase prices of most commodities, from edible oils to petroleum. Considering the strengths of China, the stock performance of India is far better. A closer look at the dynamics of China's growth and its stock markets explains much of the divergence. Although the contrasts between China and India are apparent now, they will likely blur after some time.

Reports on the role that Asian Sources Online has played in making products more accessible to Western markets. Why Asian Sources established its Web site; When Asian Sources, Asia's largest trade publishing group, was founded; Number of manufacturers who advertise on the Web site.

Examines the economic policy of Thailand in combating the country's part in the Asian financial crises of 1998. Dealing with the problems of asset deflation; Bad loans; Economic indicators; Attempts to stabilize the economy; Foreign investment; Real estate prices; Banking reform. INSET: Luxury for 30 Cents On the Dollar.

Looks at the success of economic policy in Taiwan. A comparison of Taiwan and South Korean stocks and currency; Korea's government policy putting economic development under the control of conglomerates; Taiwan practicing trickle-up economics with small and medium-size entrepreneurial businesses; Comments from financial executives.

Focuses on efforts to increase China's, and other Asian countries', ability to compete in international athletic events. The creation of China's Marlboro League for soccer, with the help of IMG; Sponsors of the league; How Tiger Woods will help develop appeal for golf in Asia.

This article reports that living standards are rising in Asia and so Asians can afford higher ticket prices. Theater owners are replacing their old firetraps with modern multiscreen cinemas that have plush stadium-style seating, computerized ticketing, curved screens, the latest audiovisual systems, bountiful concessions and plenty of parking. Many of these U.S. style complexes are being built by Kansas City-based AMC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Multiplexes are one of those American retailing innovations, like fast-food outlets, that travel well. INSET: Narcotic betel nut on your popcorn? (theater in American Samoa).

The article reports that the Asian recorded-music market is booming just as the markets in the U.S. and Europe are reaching saturation. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, in the ten main Asian markets outside Japan, sales of recorded music jumped over 40 per cent in the previous year, to $1.9 billion. Tower Records began opening record shops in Taiwan in the previous year and in Hong Kong, China and Singapore in the present year. Chinese pop is the only Asian music that crosses borders easily in Asia.

Explains how Asia's growing ranks of middle-class consumers are creating an enormous market for Japanese retailers. Winning over young affluent shoppers by introducing superior department store management and technology; Merchandise selection; Mass retailing, Japanese style; How US retailers fit in.

Profiles Merle Hinrichs. His use of electronic commerce in the 1980's; Development of order-processing software and electronic data interchange services for importers; His work with businesses in Asia, which produces half of the worlds general consumer merchandise.

Looks at the effect of the Asian financial crisis on the shipping industry. Rise in imports from Asia and decrease in exports to Asia; Excess containers in the United States and Europe; Cost to the shipping companies of moving empty containers to Asia.

The article discusses International Monetary Fund (IMF) responses to economic crises in East Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea as of July 1998. IMF recommendations such as allowing devaluation of currencies, raising interest rates, and cutting public spending are evaluated. Other topics include the interconnectedness of global economies, the effect of devaluation on inflation, and the need for financial reform and elimination of crony capitalism

Reports on the sudden wave of investments in the United States and Europe by investors in Asia. Reasons why they are diversifying their investments; Comments from Pierre Rolin, head of Credit Suisse Private Banking's international real estate practice; Amount of wealth lost by the average Asian who had invested money before the crash of the Asian markets; Implications for Western financial institutions.

Reports on the growing use of credit cards in Asia. Citibank cashing in; Prediction of its credit card revenues from Asia in 1996; Growing number of middle-class consumers with plenty of disposable income; Credit card spending in Asia compared to in the United States.

Presents a reprinted article from `Forbes,' magazine on the practice of illegal movie and software copying in Asia in 1998. Ease of copying video compact discs (VCD); Comments from Lowell Strong of the Motion Picture Association; How the piracy is accomplished; Lack of a real drive for enforcement in most Asian countries; Mobility of the pirates; Problem exacerbated by the region's economic collapse.

Presents a reprinted article from `Forbes,' magazine comparing how Taiwan has succeeded and maintained its stability during the financial crisis in Asia in 1997 and 1998 while South Korea has not. Taiwan's small and medium-size entrepreneurial businesses compared to South Korea's Chaebol conglomerates; How Taiwan developed habits of self reliance; Taiwan investing in electronics while South Korea built plants.