Connecting the dots on the financial and economic development in Asia. Hosted monthly by SEB Asia chief Fredrik Hähnel & head of markets Sean Yokota, from our office in Singapore.
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 destined for Asia and some countries are hit harder than others. Fredrik Hahnel and Sean Yokota discuss the implications for companies and countries in the vast region.
18 Dec 2025
6 (potential) surprises for Asia 2026
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 all of them are positive and the likelihood of a lot of them seem low in the short term. But as black swans and surprises they will tickle your knowledge and imagination. And of course they check off last years surprises... From the SEB office in Singapore.
18 Nov 2025
Gold. Gold. And Asia.
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 gold market works, China's impact on it, and how gold is used both globally and in Asia. You'll also learn how much gold exists in the world, where it is stored, and how much gold Shaokai Fan keeps at home. Recorded online.
25 Sept 2025
China’s shifting tides: Geopolitics, involution, and the race for AI
Host Sean Yokota is joined by Fredrik Hännel and Peter Ling-Vannerus in this episode. They delve into the evolving geopolitical landscape in Asia, the challenges of involution in Chinese industry, and the rapid developments in artificial intelligence across the region. The experts provide perspectives and engaging analysis on the forces impacting Asia today.
14 May 2025
Japan special – with Jens Magnusson
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 geopolitical turmoil as a long-time US ally. But at the same time, an ageing and shrinking population, deflation and a sky-high debt per capita. SEB's chief economist, Jens Magnusson, joins Fredrik Hahnel and Sean Yokota in the discussion after visiting Japan this week.
10 Apr 2025
On the ground in China right now
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 the Chinese economy holding up? Sean Yokota and Fredrik Hahnel are joined by the SEB chief in Shanghai, Juliette Lascoux, to check the Chinese pulse in this trade war. (Recorded over the Internet from our offices in Singapore and Shanghai).
17 Dec 2024
10 (potential) surprises for Asia 2025
Fredrik Hahnel and Sean Yokota, two SEB analysts, share 10 potential surprises for Asia in 2025, offering valuable insights to prepare for the unexpected.
3 Oct 2024
How will the trillion yuan stimulus in China play out?
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 have foreign investments fared recently, what do companies on the ground say and will Chinese consumers start to spend again? A lot of questions – and answers – when SEB Head of Markets Sean Yokota and Head of Asia Fredrik Hähnel in Singapore are joined by the SEB chief in Beijing, Peter Ling-Vannerus. In a recording over the Internet.
29 May 2024
How will a new Trump term affect booming Vietnam?
The Vietnamese economy is doing well due to international trade. The country has also successfully juggled geopolitical tensions and alliances. But what effect will a new term for Donald Trump have? SEB’s Asia economists Sean Yokota and Eugenia Victorino discuss Vietnam’s economy and review the latest developments in China.
24 Jan 2024
Taiwan, stock market woes and the property market – where will China go?
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 the property sector crisis. And how does Chinese manufacturing stand up? Sean Yokota and Fredrik Hähnel dive into the hard questions. From the SEB office in Singapore.
2 Nov 2023
It's all about India
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 Business Sweden’s office in New Delhi. India is huge and complex, but the country is climbing the ladder of “ease of business” and has – being the most populated country in the world with 1.4 billion inhabitants – exciting potential.
24 Aug 2023
C – the largest letter in BRICS
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-opening boom has evaporated and some figures are the weakest since 1998. Where are the property sector, the currency, and the foreign direct investments going? And what will the BRICS meeting in South Africa mean? Answers recorded at SEB's office in Singapore, Thursday afternoon local time.
8 Jun 2023
Reflections from latest trip to China
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 Asia Strategy and Research, about their reflections on from a recent trip to China. They particularly deep dive into the electric vehicle industry and Chinese producers' position there.
13 Apr 2023
Will China succeed in overtaking the dollar?
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 plan is succeeding, where is it today, and what will happen both in the short and long term? And what is the best advice for investors? Buckle up for a fact-filled episode.
19 Jan 2023
On the ground in China now
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 shelving of the Zero Covid policy had – economically, practically and politically? And why does China have almost two-thirds av all women billionaires? These and other vital questions when Yokota and Hähnel in Singapore interview our new head of the Shanghai office – Juliette Lascoux.
7 Dec 2022
Can three powerhouses in the southeast replace China?
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 able to compete with China? And which economic superpower will they side with if push comes to shove? These questions get answers when SEB Head of Asia Strategy Eugenia Victorino joins Fredrik Hähnel and Sean Yokota in this fact-filled episode. From the SEB offices in Singapore.
25 Oct 2022
On China. Of course.
What were the key take aways from the recent Communist Party Congress? What will Xi's stregthened position mean? What do foreign investors and companies discuss in China? This and more in our second episode.
13 Sept 2022
Inflation – coming in 2023
Sean Yokota and Fredrik Hähnel in an inflationary exposé over Asia. But also where China is going after Covid, their property bubble and energy crisis and why India and Indonesia might be in a geopolitical sweet spot. And how do countries choose between security and economy? This and much more in this month's (and the first) episode.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 36 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
44
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
68
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