This Week in Asia

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A Japan coastguard patrol ship and helicopter during an operation in southwestern Japan. Photo: Kyodo

Politics

Japan to boost surveillance around remote islands with mobile radar units

Deployments may be to islands already with radar capabilities, but experts say the plan is not a response to recent Chinese maritime presence.

Rice imports, policy inertia put ‘future of Filipino farming’ at risk: report

‘Sara has momentum’: how Philippine VP won round 1 of impeachment row

Economics

Jetstar Asia’s exit signals turbulent times for low-cost airlines

The low-cost arm of Australian airline Qantas says it will shut down next month due to rising operating costs and competition.

Singapore-based Jetstar Asia will shut down permanently in July. Photo: AFP
Singapore-based Jetstar Asia will shut down permanently in July. Photo: AFP

Politics

Japan eyes 80% cut in 298,000 death toll for potential Nankai monster quake

Measures include fortifying homes and fire safety installations, as well as building more embankments and emergency shelters.

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Health & Environment

Indonesia’s green groups welcome move to axe mining permits in Raja Ampat

Prabowo cancels four mining permits in Raja Ampat, but concerns remain over nickel exploitation on Gag Island and other small islands in Indonesia.

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People

US$900 million seized as China helps Malaysia dismantle Tedy Teow’s scam empire

MBI Group’s Malaysian founder has been called ‘Jho Lo 2’ because of the sheer scale of his operation.

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Tedy Teow being extradited to China on August 20, last year. Photo: Ministry of Public Security
Tedy Teow being extradited to China on August 20, last year. Photo: Ministry of Public Security

Politics

Is acceptance by India’s Modi to attend G7 summit in Canada a ‘Pyrrhic victory’?

The belated invitation by Canada has sparked debate on whether ties between New Delhi and Ottawa are on the mend.

Health & Environment

Japan’s Osaka Expo water shows suspended as Legionella levels top safety limit

Resumption of the shows will depend on the results of stepped-up sanitisation measures, including pipe cleaning and chemical disinfection.

Economics

How Indonesian fintech firm is bridging funding gaps for women entrepreneurs

Amartha leverages technology to provide loans to women running small businesses in remote areas, but challenges such as lack of digital literacy remain.

Amartha CEO Andi Taufan Garuda Putra’s (centre) firm connects borrowers in remote communities with financial institutions. Photo: Handout

Lifestyle & Culture

Restaurant chain in Thailand in hot soup over buffet shortage complaints

MK Restaurants’ US$9.17 buffet promotion drew long wait times and led to food shortages, prompting the chain to apologise to its customers.

MK Restaurants’ US$9.17 buffet promotion on Monday drew long wait times and led to food shortages, prompting customers to complain about its poor service. Photo: MK Restaurants/Facebook
MK Restaurants’ US$9.17 buffet promotion on Monday drew long wait times and led to food shortages, prompting customers to complain about its poor service. Photo: MK Restaurants/Facebook

People

‘Uncertainty has costs’: the Asian students rethinking US education plans

International students caught in the crosshairs of shifting policies are questioning whether the rewards of studying in the US still outweigh the risks.

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People

Fans of Malaysia’s Rafizi face police probes as internal party feud intensifies

At least 20 social media users are under investigation by the communications commission, the former minister says.

Politics

Will Kim Jong-un reciprocate first move by South Korea’s Lee to ease tensions?

A proposed halt to the launch of anti-North propaganda leaflets may signal a major policy shift by President Lee Jae-myung, analysts say.

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Balloons carrying leaflets and a banner denouncing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un being prepared for launch near the border between the two Koreas in 2016. Photo: AP

Politics

Man in Japan arrested over suspected attempt to repeat 1987 attack on reporters

The man is believed to have been inspired by a gunman who killed a reporter and injured another at an Asahi newspaper office in 1987.

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A man in Japan has been arrested for trying to replicate a 1987 attack on the Asahi newspaper’s reporters. Photo: Shutterstock
A man in Japan has been arrested for trying to replicate a 1987 attack on the Asahi newspaper’s reporters. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

In Japan, LA protests are dividing people as much as in the US. Here’s why

While some Japanese agree with President Donald Trump’s crackdown against the protests, others urge Japan to be more receptive to foreigners.

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Economics

Eye on the prize: bags of rice, daily essentials up for grabs at Japanese arcade

The arcade’s manager says the goal is for residents in Kawagoe to have some fun even with the soaring rice prices.

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Politics

What South Korea’s new president means for its US, China ties

Expect a nuanced approach to foreign policy as President Lee Jae-myung attempts to pull relations with Beijing back from their ‘lowest ebb’.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks on the phone at his residence in Incheon, South Korea, on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap/AFP
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks on the phone at his residence in Incheon, South Korea, on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap/AFP

Politics

Battle for the Philippines’ 2028 presidency begins: ‘they’ve smelled blood’

A surprising Duterte-Marcos midterm stalemate has shifted focus to the vice-president’s impeachment fight – and the next presidential race.

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People

Anwar Ibrahim mints a dynasty – but Malaysia’s youth aren’t buying it

The rapid ascent of Anwar’s heir apparent Nurul Izzah has alienated many young Malaysians who are tired of old feuds and unfulfilled promises.

Economics

Silicon rally: can Malaysia reclaim its semiconductor glory?

Outpacing regional chip rivals won’t be easy for ‘Silicon Malaysia’, but insiders say it has the subsidies, labour and will to succeed.

Malaysia’s early head start in semiconductors has eroded over the decades, but it is determined to reverse the trend. Photo: Shutterstock
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LATEST Asia NEWS

South Asia

India’s Adani visits China in strategic push for renewables amid US legal woes

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani attends the 51st Gems and Jewellery Awards in Jaipur, India in November 2024. Photo: Reuters

United States & Canada

Trump admin launches review of Aukus submarine pact with Australia and UK

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A Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the type Australia is set to acquire from the early 2030s under Aukus. Photo: US Navy

Economics

Rice imports, policy inertia put ‘future of Filipino farming’ at risk: report

A farmer plants rice in a paddy field in Pulilan, Bulacan province, in the Philippines. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘Sara has momentum’: how Philippine VP won round 1 of impeachment row

Protesters call for the start of the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte outside the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay, Metro Manila on Monday. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Malaysia revokes bus owner’s permit after deadly crash

The site of a bus crash on the East-West Highway near Gerik, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia/Xinhua
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OPINION
Andrew Cainey,Xie Chengkai

Opinion | China as a global conflict mediator: from ambition to action

Andrew Cainey
Phar Kim Beng

Asian Angle | Trump, Hegseth, Rubio: a triple threat to global stability – and Asia

Phar Kim Beng
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Biman Mukherji

My Take | Can Southeast Asia contain growing threat of cyber scams?

Biman Mukherji
Alexander M. Hynd

Opinion | Will South Korea’s next president be able to heal a fractured nation?

Alexander M. Hynd
Chandran Nair

Opinion | Why US exceptionalism, export of crassness are losing their shallow appeal

Chandran Nair
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

BTS members complete military training

K-pop stars RM and V of boy band BTS discharged from South Korea military, sparking fan frenzy
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Video

Japan’s last ‘hidden Christians’ face extinction

‘It will likely end with our generation,' Japan’s last ‘hidden Christians’ face extinction
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Video

Japanese Nintendo fans get their hands on Switch 2

Nintendo launches highly anticipated Switch 2 amid heavy demand in Japan
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Video

At least 11 killed in India stampede

At least 11 killed in India after stampede at cricket victory celebrations
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