This Week in Asia /

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A Japanese student prays at a grave of a former islands on Iturup, also known as Etorofu, in 2007. Photo: AFP

Japan’s Takaichi resurrects frozen dispute over islands lost to Russia

Analysts warn there’s ‘no chance’ of visits to the islands resuming while Tokyo continues to back Kyiv in the Russia-Ukraine war.

47 minutes ago

Can Japan find space for Muslim burials? Not if right-wing rhetoric prevails

2 hours agovideocam

Jakarta vs the internet: Indonesia’s gamble with digital freedom

6 Dec 2025 - 3:30PM

The Philippines

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

Satellite imagery shows Super Typhoon Fung-wong as it approaches the Philippines on November 9. Photo: NOAA/EPA

Can India still rely on Russia as a ‘time-tested’ defence partner?

India has to balance meeting its defence needs from Russia and managing its trade ties with the US as tariffs continue to loom.

5 Dec 2025 - 8:31PMvideocam

The Philippines

Is the Philippines vulnerable to another military-triggered political crisis?

Analysts said an alleged plot by retired generals to oust President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr appears inspired by 2001’s EDSA Dos uprising.

5 Dec 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

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Myanmar’s criticism of Takaichi signals ‘loyalty’ to China ahead of election

A junta spokesman slammed the Japanese prime minister’s comments on Taiwan, saying Tokyo had not shown remorse for its ‘crimes’ in Asia.

5 Dec 2025 - 6:44PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing on the sidelines of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in Moscow on May 9. Photo: Xinhua

‘I truly repent’: 15-year jail term sought for South Korean ex-first lady

The former first lady, who faces a raft of corruption allegations, will receive the court’s ruling on January 28.

4 Dec 2025 - 11:50AMvideocam

Singapore’s Pritam Singh loses appeal against conviction for lying

The Workers’ Party chief was in February found guilty of two counts of giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee and fined.

4 Dec 2025 - 7:39PM

In Japan, public opinion turns against Trump’s ‘terrible, stupid’ US

A new survey reveals approval for US ties has hit near-record lows amid political turmoil, punitive tariffs and shock at Trump’s agenda.

6 Dec 2025 - 10:22AM

Soldiers hold US and Japanese flags during a welcome ceremony for US President Donald Trump at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in 2019. Photo: AFP

‘We side with Indonesia’: ex-minister rejects claims of China bias

Luhut Pandjaitan says China’s technological prowess and deep pockets made it an ideal partner for propelling Indonesia’s economy.

3 Dec 2025 - 7:29PM

The Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park, one of the biggest nickel producers in Konawe Utara. Photo: AFP

Can Seoul count on Beijing’s commitment to Korean reunification?

South Korean analyst Sung Ki-young says major powers are more likely to support incremental steps for peace rather than a sudden shift.

3 Dec 2025 - 7:11PMvideocam

The Philippines

Philippines’ first family says financial scrutiny welcome amid graft allegations

A spokesperson for the president said his family was open to lifestyle checks after questions emerged over funds sent to his son’s district.

3 Dec 2025 - 6:19PMvideocam

Thailand, Cambodia clash at UN mine ban talks as ‘fragile’ border truce teeters

Analysts warn relations are in a ‘fragile place’ as the neighbours trade barbs and leverage international law at a UN meeting in Geneva.

3 Dec 2025 - 5:07PMvideocam

A member of the Thailand Mine Action Centre shows a landmine during a media visit to the border province of Surin, Thailand, in August. Photo: Reuters

South Koreans deserve Nobel Peace Prize for stopping martial law, president says

Marking the first anniversary of the crisis, Lee Jae-myung hailed those who faced down troops for ‘saving democracy’.

4 Dec 2025 - 6:39PMvideocam

People gather outside the National Assembly in Seoul in the early morning of December 4, 2024, after then South Korea president Yoon Suk-yeol had declared martial law. Photo: AFP

The Philippines

Why the Philippines’ anti-flood control corruption movement could be receding

Analysts warn the government’s anti-corruption drive could stall if public mobilisation continues to thin.

3 Dec 2025 - 4:24PM

South Korea martial law 2024

South Korea proposes special court to address ‘mockery of judicial process’

Concerns are growing that the judiciary, dominated by Yoon-appointed judges, may acquit the former president of insurrection charges.

3 Dec 2025 - 9:53AMvideocam

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Malaysia’s Anwar vows ‘no protection’ for close aides in corruption probes

The prime minister has been accused of launching investigations targeting his political rivals while going soft on scandals closer to home.

2 Dec 2025 - 5:30PM

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) with his former senior political secretary, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin. Photo: Handout

As India prepares for missile test, presence of Chinese ships marks power jostle

At least four such Chinese vessels have been spotted in the strategic Indian Ocean recently, according to media reports.

2 Dec 2025 - 4:44PM

‘No calm in Beirut’ as more Israeli strikes expected after Hezbollah ultimatum

Israel’s ultimatum to Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah by New Year’s Eve is more about political pressure than an invasion plan, analysts say.

2 Dec 2025 - 5:20PMvideocam

North Korea unveils new missiles, angles for Russian jets amid Ukraine war deal

Analysts say the event served a dual purpose: grooming Kim’s potential successor and angling for Russian jets as payment for Ukraine war aid.

2 Dec 2025 - 11:27AMvideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) and his daughter Ju-ae (centre, left) watch a demonstration flight commemorating the 80th anniversary of the air force’s founding on Friday. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP

Like a ‘debt collector’? US ambassador irks Singaporeans by justifying tariff

While Anjani Sinha has called on Singapore to help ‘rebalance’ trade, the US also benefits from its ties with the city state, analysts say.

1 Dec 2025 - 9:02PM

Then ambassador-nominee to Singapore, Anjani Sinha, facing questions from Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth at a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in July. Photo: YouTube/Tammy Duckworth

The Philippines

Did Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s jailbreak ‘joke’ keep her dad in ICC detention?

Observers said the ruling may energise loyalists but is unlikely to sway undecided voters or ease the rivalry shaping Philippine politics.

1 Dec 2025 - 7:48PMvideocam

Why Anwar faces uphill task to win back voters after Sabah election trouncing

Sabah voters don’t trust Anwar, and this will complicate his plan for the next general election, analysts say.

1 Dec 2025 - 7:15PMvideocam

The Philippines

Why Russia is targeting the Philippines with Ukraine mercenary claims

As Moscow wages an information war far from the battlefields of Ukraine, an improbable front has opened up in Southeast Asia.

1 Dec 2025 - 4:02PM

A Filipino soldier demonstrates how to operate a missile system during a joint military exercise with the US in August last year. Photo: AFP

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