And then, in July, 1997, a financial tsunami hit Asia and one Asian nation after another teetered on collapse.
"East Asia is one of the parts of the world where seasonal influenza viruses have remained in reasonably high circulation, " Fukuda said.
In Asia, one of its largest growth areas, the company said that cigarette volume grew nearly 3 percent if it didn't count the Philippines.
It is no coincidence that the Philippines has the highest rate of consumption (about 80% of GDP) in emerging Asia but one of the lowest growth rates.
Last week I spent the afternoon with Justin Chang, third generation member of the Ascot Chang family, the finest shirt maker in Asia and one of the best in the world.
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Top a succulent, Kobe beef burger with black truffles or foie gras at the famed Burger Bar, or savour delectable sushi at Asia, one of the city's most acclaimed contemporary hot spots.
Asia is one area where the smart power approach has paid off - a delicate balance between diplomacy, military ties with allies and support for reforms and reformers such as Burma's Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
The cardinals include two Europeans (from Italy and Germany), two from Latin America (Chile and Honduras), one from the US, one from Asia (India), one African and one Australian.
"In Asia, the one key item we look for is the management team, " Cheah says.
While much of Asia dallies, one market behaving as if it were in a bull stampede is Japan.
The tour, in support of her second album "Born This Way, " began last April in Asia and was one of 2012's highest grossing.
One of Asia's most profitable budget airlines, AirAsia is also considered one of the most aggressive in terms of offering cheaper fares, ordering new planes as well expanding its operations.
For example, in the export area, I just came back from a trip to Asia in which one of my highest priorities was discussing how we can increase exports into that region.
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As I said in Tokyo yesterday, the United States is a Pacific nation, and we enjoy deep historical ties to Southeast Asia -- one of the most important and dynamic regions of the world.
Once again, Thailand is a central part of that as our oldest treaty ally in Asia -- one that has not only worked with us here regionally, but also does outstanding work performing peace-keeping activities around the world.
The one nation whose presence still guarantees a measure of stability in Asia is the very one whose influence commentators are so quick to write off: the United States of America.
Having said that, I also believe that our future is going to be tied up with our ability to sell products all around the world, and China is going to be one of our biggest markets, and Asia is going to be one of our biggest markets.
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Today Premji, by virtue of his building software power Wipro , is one of Asia s richest men.
In 2009 FORBES ASIA named her as one of 48 Heroes of Philanthropy that year.
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In a tricky investment landscape, the 35-year-old Ward stands out as one of Asia's savviest investors.
For help in sorting it out, we turned to Peter Chau, one of Asia's few home-grown market veterans.
Its appeal is partly based on its ties to Charoen Pokphand Foods, one of Asia's largest agribusiness companies.
Its faith in free trade produced one of Asia's first economic success stories.
After being constructed by two French investors in 1901, the Metropole had quickly become one of Asia's most celebrated hotels.
"Japan and Asia will be like one entity in the 21st century, " predicts Morimoto, who once headed Toshiba's Malaysian operations.
It is the fastest quarterly expansion in a decade, and confirms the country's status as one of Asia's fastest growing economies.
Malaysia is one of Asia's fast-recovering economies, and Najib said his government is targeting economic growth of 5% or more this year.
Hong Kong is also known as one of Asia's most prominent financial hubs thanks to its regulatory framework and lack of corruption.
The Lab will start in North America next summer before moving to two other cities, one in Europe and one in Asia.
The Philippines has been one of Asia's strongest performing markets over the past year, as investors were attracted to the country's growth story.
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