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This Week in Asia
Princess Kako (left) and her brother Prince Hisahito attend the traditional New Year’s greeting ceremony by Japan’s royal family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2. Photo: AFP

People

Japan’s Princess Kako targeted in viral Grok AI deepfakes trend

Images of the princess in a blue dress during a recent event were used to generate deepfakes, including of her naked and covered in tattoos.

Germany’s Merz backs India-EU trade deal during first official visit to Asia

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‘Urgently needed’: Malaysia’s chief justice demands more judges as caseloads soar

People

Australian Labor MPs apologise over ‘disgusting’ rating game at festival

The three Labor MPs were overheard playing the game about male politicians at a festival, triggering a complaint.

People attend Hobart’s Taste of Summer – a food and music festival held annually on the city’s waterfront during the holiday season in Australia. Photo: Handout
People attend Hobart’s Taste of Summer – a food and music festival held annually on the city’s waterfront during the holiday season in Australia. Photo: Handout

Politics

Money for babies, combat pay: Thailand’s poll turns into a cash splash contest

From US$2,000 for newborns to debt write-offs, Thai political parties are dangling a raft of handouts in a bid to woo voters on February 8.

Politics

Japan PM seeks unity with South Korea’s Lee as China tensions persist

Takaichi aims to bolster ties with Seoul by avoiding ‘divisive’ issues as Tokyo grapples with Beijing’s economic retaliation.

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Health & Environment

Fury erupts over ‘mound of death’ in South Korea’s worst air disaster

Opposition MPs accuse officials of trying to bury a report that blames a known design flaw for the nation’s deadliest crash.

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The wreckage of the Jeju Air aircraft that crashed at Muan International Airport, South Korea, in December 2024. Photo: Reuters
The wreckage of the Jeju Air aircraft that crashed at Muan International Airport, South Korea, in December 2024. Photo: Reuters

People

Fast and furious: Malaysian streetwear boss suspended after road rage video

The Stoned & Co co-founder, seen on camera tailgating and blocking a car after being honked at, has apologised for his ‘poor judgment’.

Health & Environment

‘Who can we trust?’: Nestle formula recall rattles Malaysian parents

Despite assurances that local stocks are safe, wary parents are scouring ingredient lists and doing their own ‘due diligence’.

Australasia

Australian ambassador hated by Trump to leave US post early

Kevin ‌Rudd, who criticised Trump before he became envoy, will head the Asia Society think tank after finishing his posting in March.

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Kevin Rudd had called Donald Trump “the most destructive president in history”. Photo: Reuters

Health & Environment

Why 4 million foreigners in Japan fear the next disaster amid rising bias

Rising xenophobia, ‘vigilante’ patrols and memories of 1923 have rights advocates concerned that history could repeat itself.

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Foreign tourists visit a temple in Tokyo, Japan, last month. Photo: EPA
Foreign tourists visit a temple in Tokyo, Japan, last month. Photo: EPA

Health & Environment

As the crow flies: how Tokyo’s 25-year pest purge ended in triumph

A mix of civic discipline, careful waste management and a willingness among Tokyo residents to change their habits helped rein in the crisis.

Asia

Matricide in Indonesia, Philippine Airlines’ viral video: 7 Asia highlights

From India becoming the world’s fourth largest economy to Philippine Airlines’ viral safety video, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

People

Fatal Tokyo fist-fight leads to rare duelling arrest under 19th-century law

A 26-year-old man was arrested under an 1889 law after police said a prearranged fight in Kabukicho left the other man dead weeks later.

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A night-time street scene in Kabukicho, Tokyo’s most notorious nightlife district, where police say the altercation occurred. Photo: Getty Images

Southeast Asia

Malaysian petrol station operators fume as foreign fuel cheats go unpunished

Foreign cars exploiting Malaysia’s subsidised RON95 fuel spark calls for stricter penalties on vehicle owners, not just petrol stations.

A fuel station in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
A fuel station in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

People

Philippine tourism chief’s magazine cover draws backlash as visitor numbers slip

Christina Frasco’s cover appearance has drawn accusations from critics that self-promotion is being prioritised over strategy and results.

Health & Environment

Singapore takes stock of lessons from Hong Kong’s Tai Po blaze

The city state will study and incorporate into policy frameworks relevant observations made by the Hong Kong authorities about the fire.

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Economics

India overtakes Japan in economic size – while prosperity trails far behind

Becoming the No 4 economy is a source of pride. Now, the race is on to turn statistical success into 8 million new jobs a year.

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Shoppers walk along a street illuminated with decorative lights ahead of New Year celebrations in Bengaluru, India, last month. Photo: AFP
Shoppers walk along a street illuminated with decorative lights ahead of New Year celebrations in Bengaluru, India, last month. Photo: AFP

Economics

Fair or fowl? Malaysia struggles to stomach its US trade pact

Local chefs fume over ‘lousy’ US poultry flooding the market, as critics call the trade agreement hastily reached and unfairly lopsided.

Economics

Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount

Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.

Economics

As Southeast Asia’s middle classes lose their homes, the rich get sky garages

As wealthy buyers seek penthouses with living-room supercar parking, struggling families battle banks to keep a roof overhead.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

People

Japan’s Princess Kako targeted in viral Grok AI deepfakes trend

Princess Kako (left) and her brother Prince Hisahito attend the traditional New Year’s greeting ceremony by Japan’s royal family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2. Photo: AFP

Economics

Germany’s Merz backs India-EU trade deal during first official visit to Asia

videocam
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives for an appointment on Monday as part of his state visit to India. Photo: dpa

People

Australian Labor MPs apologise over ‘disgusting’ rating game at festival

People attend Hobart’s Taste of Summer – a food and music festival held annually on the city’s waterfront during the holiday season in Australia. Photo: Handout

Politics

Money for babies, combat pay: Thailand’s poll turns into a cash splash contest

Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of Thailand’s Democrat Party, greets a woman and her baby during an election campaign event in Bangkok on Saturday. Photo: EPA

People

Fast and furious: Malaysian streetwear boss suspended after road rage video

This screengrab from a dashcam video shows the moment the Stoned & Co co-founder is honked at to get out of the way. Photo: Instagram/sensual.96s
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