Asia

This Week in Asia

Tourists pose in front of Mount Fuji in Yamanakako, Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture. Photo: AFP

East Asia

Japan may lose GDP race to India amid weak yen, tourism woes, China row

Japan’s economy is likely to fall behind India’s this year, which analysts say would diminish Tokyo’s global influence.

3 minutes agovideocam

‘Felt left out’: ex-students’ videos on Singapore’s elite schools spark debate

1 hour agovideocam

25 years on, unsolved Setagaya murders continue to haunt Japan

6 hours agovideocam

Politics

Will ‘Made in Europe’ threaten South Korea’s arms export boom?

Observers urge South Korea to integrate itself into European supply chains by increasing production localisation to maintain competitiveness.

1 Jan 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

A Chunmoo rocket artillery system manufactured by Hanwha is displayed at the Eurosatory international land and air defence and security trade fair in Villepinte, France, in June 2024. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

No Wi-fi or Grab: Malaysian woman’s kindness saves family’s Hong Kong trip

‘Kindness is still around. It’s just quieter now. It wears hoodies, headphones and tired faces,’ the visitor says of the woman who saved the day.

1 hour ago

People

Singapore PM excited about Jessica Sanchez’s show in Cebu, Marcos’ wife says

The wife of President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez will be performing at the Asean summit in 2026.

31 Dec 2025 - 6:27PM

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Economics

Muslim businesses in China target Malaysia as global halal gateway

The growing presence of China’s Muslim entrepreneurs at a festival in Kuala Lumpur reflects their trust in Malaysia’s strong halal standards.

31 Dec 2025 - 4:49PM

A vendor grills skewered meats at the Pasar Eatai Chinese Muslim Festival at 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof

East Asia

Ramen, drinks, fan zones: how North Korea clones K-culture while hating Seoul

From food to photo booths, Pyongyang is imitating South Korean culture through what analysts call ‘subjective adaptation’.

3 hours ago

Southeast Asia

Man jailed for using ‘deity’s voice’ to isolate and abuse girl in Singapore

The prosecution said Tan Beng Kwee also issued threats of ‘supernatural punishment to silence’ the victim.

6 hours ago

Politics

As commissioners quit, Philippines’ flood-control probe faces credibility crisis

Analysts said the exits risk deepening public scepticism over whether politically connected contractors can be held to account.

31 Dec 2025 - 7:26PMvideocam

Independent Commission for Infrastructure chair Andres Reyes Jr (left) oversees the submission of investigation reports to the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City, Metro Manila, on October 29 as the panel probes alleged corruption in flood-control infrastructure projects. Photo: EPA

Australasia

‘Not cowed’: Australia sees defiant start to 2026 after mass shooting

Many police officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the popular annual fireworks display over Sydney’s Harbour Bridge.

31 Dec 2025 - 11:33PM

Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark the New Year. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July

The neighbouring nations agreed a truce on Saturday, ending renewed clashes that spread to nearly every border province on both sides.

31 Dec 2025 - 5:39PMvideocam

East Asia

A toil for the toilet: Japan’s PM, women MPs, call for more lavatories

For the 73 women elected in 2024 to parliament’s lower house there is just one toilet, with two cubicles, near the main plenary session hall.

31 Dec 2025 - 8:22PM

Politics

‘Clear advantage’: why return of Zia’s son may influence Bangladesh’s election

The death of ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia may have boosted voter support for her son Tarique Rahman, who is contesting in the election.

31 Dec 2025 - 6:53PM

Then acting Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman addresses his supporters after his return from London in Dhaka on December 25. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

Will Ocean Infinity finally solve the flight MH370 mystery in Indian Ocean?

A new deep-sea search, armed with advanced tech and drones, restarts to find the Malaysia Airlines plane that vanished nearly 12 years ago.

31 Dec 2025 - 5:45PMvideocam

A man walks pasts a mural representing the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at an alley in Shah Alam, near Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP

Politics

Takaichi is shaping up as Japan’s Thatcher. How long can she last?

The prime minister has defied the odds by winning back LDP voters with sweeping immigration, economic policies and a tough stance on Beijing.

31 Dec 2025 - 4:35PMvideocam

Health & Environment

In India, New Delhi’s smog crisis exposes the high price of clean air

The winter smog has widened the affordability gap among residents, with many lower-income families lacking the means to buy an air purifier.

31 Dec 2025 - 10:30AMvideocam

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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.

21 Dec 2025 - 12:33PM

Illustration: Huy Truong

Economics

Southeast Asia’s rich buy sky garages while the middle class lose their homes

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

15 Dec 2025 - 3:32PMvideocam

Health & Environment

6 cyclones, 5 weeks: Philippines can’t escape its endless cycle of disaster

Corruption, complacency and climate chaos conspire to turn the Philippines’ natural hazards into man-made tragedies.

6 Dec 2025 - 8:17AMvideocam

Politics

‘It’s time for us to rise’: India races to rebuild its lost maritime muscle

India is eyeing a future as a leading shipping and shipbuilding nation, backed by big investments – and expertise from South Korea and Japan.

30 Nov 2025 - 5:12PM

Illustration: Huy Truong

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Highlights from

THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Lifestyle & Culture

‘Felt left out’: ex-students’ videos on Singapore’s elite schools spark debate

1 hour agovideocam

Sunrise in Singapore with the iconic Merlion statue in the background. A viral video on elite schools has sparked a debate on whether such schools may lead to wider social stratification. Photo: Shutterstock

People

25 years on, unsolved Setagaya murders continue to haunt Japan

6 hours agovideocam

On the night of December 30, 2000, an assailant managed to get into the home of the Miyazawa family, in Tokyo’s upmarket Setagaya ward and strangled or knifed all of them to death. Photo: Handout

Politics

Will ‘Made in Europe’ threaten South Korea’s arms export boom?

1 Jan 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

A Chunmoo rocket artillery system manufactured by Hanwha is displayed at the Eurosatory international land and air defence and security trade fair in Villepinte, France, in June 2024. Photo: Reuters

People

Singapore PM excited about Jessica Sanchez’s show in Cebu, Marcos’ wife says

31 Dec 2025 - 6:27PM

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr meeting with Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez in Manila on Tuesday. Photo: Instagram / bongbongmarcos

Politics

As commissioners quit, Philippines’ flood-control probe faces credibility crisis

31 Dec 2025 - 7:26PMvideocam

Independent Commission for Infrastructure chair Andres Reyes Jr (left) oversees the submission of investigation reports to the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City, Metro Manila, on October 29 as the panel probes alleged corruption in flood-control infrastructure projects. Photo: EPA

MORE IN This Week in Asia

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Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

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TRENDING TOPICS

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