This Week in Asia

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The protests in Los Angeles against US immigration raids have sparked a debate in Japan over the influx of foreigners into the country. Photo: TNS

Politics

Japanese debate over US immigration raid protests and influx of foreigners

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

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India expected to maintain robust growth despite Pakistan tensions, trade woes

Politics

Pro-Marcos Jnr Philippines-originated ChatGPT accounts banned over AI misuse

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, said the banned accounts were used to influence views favourable towards the Philippine president.

OpenAI’s ban on a number of ChatGPT accounts originating from the Philippines shows how artificial intelligence could be misused to conduct influence operations. Photo: Shutterstock
OpenAI’s ban on a number of ChatGPT accounts originating from the Philippines shows how artificial intelligence could be misused to conduct influence operations. Photo: Shutterstock

Lifestyle & Culture

Thailand’s Pattaya deploys AI drones as cries grow to tackle rising crime

The drones will be linked to a centralised AI database so they can scan faces in crowds and pick out criminals and visa overstayers.

People

Malaysia’s Anwar given second chance to prove immunity from sexual assault suit

The Court of Appeals has ruled for a stay on all proceedings until it can be decided if the prime minister would need to answer the suit.

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Lifestyle & Culture

‘Unacceptable’: Japan group under fire for holding combat drills for students

The activities at the ‘junior survival school’ involved primary and secondary schoolchildren being taught how to handle toy guns.

An organisation in Japan’s Saitama prefecture is under fire for holding “junior survival school” events featuring combat drills for students at public facilities in Tokyo. Photo: Handout
An organisation in Japan’s Saitama prefecture is under fire for holding “junior survival school” events featuring combat drills for students at public facilities in Tokyo. Photo: Handout

Politics

Former residence of South Korea’s Yoon under scrutiny over ‘pet pool’

Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife kept six dogs and five cats until shortly after Yoon was removed as president in April, following a court order.

Economics

Malaysia’s new luxury tax a hard sell for Anwar as popularity wanes

Taxes of between 5 and 10 per cent will be imposed on ‘discretionary and non-essential’ goods and services from July 1.

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Politics

Concern in Japan as police investigation uncovers possible yakuza-triad alliance

Footage found during a raid shows yakuza members taking part in a ritual with individuals believed to be part of Hong Kong’s 14K triad.

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Police officers stand guard during an event in Tokyo in October 2024. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

Nara’s famed deer could face food crisis in winter as acorn trees cut down

A reduction in acorn trees, which provide food and shelter for the deer, could result in more aggressive food-seeking behaviour, researchers warn.

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Deer play at Nara Park in Japan’s Nara prefecture. Photo: AFP
Deer play at Nara Park in Japan’s Nara prefecture. Photo: AFP

Politics

Japan spots Chinese navy’s show of force in west Pacific amid maritime row

The Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers are seen near two Japanese islands, with their presence signalling a message to Tokyo.

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Politics

South Korea’s ties with Japan face new test after ex-forced labourer wins suit

A 107-year-old South Korean has won his case against Mitsubishi after a court ordered the firm to pay him compensation for his labour.

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Politics

Philippine senators split over legality of delaying Duterte’s impeachment trial

Protests grow as senators split on the trial’s timing, with Duterte allies pushing for the case’s dismissal.

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Protesters hold slogans during a rally to call for the start of the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte outside the Philippine Senate in Pasay city, Philippines, on Monday, June 9. Photo: AP

Health & Environment

Malaysia faces searing heatwave as temperatures hit high of 37 degrees

Health experts warn that the methods used in Malaysia to assess health risks from extreme heat are inadequate.

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Six areas in Peninsular Malaysia experienced maximum daily temperatures of between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days last week. Photo: Reuters
Six areas in Peninsular Malaysia experienced maximum daily temperatures of between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days last week. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

South Korean court fines woman for sexual misconduct over ‘pantsing’ prank

The woman claimed she had done it as a joke when she pulled down the man’s trousers – and his underwear by accident – in front of other employees.

Economics

Malaysia assures users their privacy is protected in mobile data grab

The detailed call and internet logs are supplied without any personal identifiers, communications chief insists.

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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

Politics

Japanese debate over US immigration raid protests and influx of foreigners

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The protests in Los Angeles against US immigration raids have sparked a debate in Japan over the influx of foreigners into the country. Photo: TNS

Southeast Asia

Ex-Thai PM Suchinda Kraprayoon, who cracked down on 1992 protests, dies at 91

Thai Prime Minister General Suchinda Kraprayoon speaks to reporters at government house on his first day of office in April 1992. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

Philippine senators send Sara Duterte impeachment case back to lower house

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte arrives to file her counter affidavit in response to a complaint over her alleged threat to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at the Department of Justice in Manila. Photo: AFP

South Asia

India’s ‘unbearable’ heatwave hits 47 degrees, sparking health emergency alerts

A volunteer distributes free drinking water outside a Sikh temple, during a hot day in the old quarters of Delhi on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Economics

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

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Two women try their luck at a claw machine. An amusement centre in the Japanese city of Kawagoe has offered bags of rice as a prize to be won at its claw machines. Photo: Shutterstock
MORE Asia NEWS
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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
02:07
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
02:57
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