Japan
From occupied hosts to strategic partners: the evolving role of Japan and South Korea in US Asia Strategy
Incidents ranging from theft and assault to more egregious acts like rape and murder have periodically reignited public anger such as in the case of the 1995 abduction and gang rape of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl by three US servicemen.
ASEAN aligns with Japan, China and South Korea in warning against protectionist risks
Meeting on the sidelines of the recent Asian Development Bank’s annual gathering in Milan, Italy, the officials reiterated their support for a rules-based, free and fair multilateral trading system.
Empty shelves and soaring costs hit Japan’s rice supply
Japan is grappling with a major rice shortage, as stores struggle to keep up with demand and soaring prices put the staple food out of reach for many households.
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Chipping point – the climate toll of AI chip-making in East Asia
The meteoric rise of AI is sparking a parallel and largely overlooked environmental challenge: the significant climate impact of chip manufacturing, particularly in East Asia, says a new report from Greenpeace.
Japanese official warns of wider Asian security impact of Trump tariffs
Former defence minister Itsunori Onodera, speaking in Washington at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, expressed particular concern about the potential impact on Southeast Asia.
The state of global fertility – Statista
South Korea, together with Hong Kong, Macau and Puerto Rico, is one of only a few places in the world with a fertility rate below 1, data by the World Bank shows, Statista reports.
Moscow slams Japan's Ukraine loan as 'treachery'
Moscow has in recent decades made repeated moves to bully Japan into remaining silent on a number of territorial issues, most famously over possession of the Kuril Islands east of Hokkaido.
IMF: The global economy enters a new era
The global economic system under which most countries have operated for the last 80 years is being reset, ushering the world into a new era.
China accuses US of sophisticated cyberattacks, outs alleged NSA agents
Police in Harbin have also placed three individuals on a wanted list, alleging their affiliation with the NSA. They are said to have repeatedly attacked China’s critical information infrastructure, including cyber operations directed at Huawei.
ASIA BLOG: Is China preparing to poke the paper tiger in the White House?
The US intimidates certain countries. But America is just a paper tiger. Don’t believe its bluff. One poke and it’ll burst!
Asian giants thrive in Russia despite sanctions
Maintaining a complex balance between profit, geopolitical alignment and risk management, the presence of Asian nations in Russia reveals a divergence between Western corporate exodus and Eastern mercantile strategy.
ASIA BLOG: China suddenly recognises need for community, in a region Beijing has long polarised
President Xi made no mention of long-standing territorial issues with China’s closest neighbours including Japan, South Korea and the self-governing country long claimed as an integral part of China by Beijing: Taiwan.
JFE Shoji opens first factory in Europe – in Serbia
Japanese company JFE Shoji inaugurated a state-of-the-art factory in the Serbian town of Inđija on April 8, marking its first manufacturing plant in Europe.
Volcanic activity escalates at Mount Kanlaon in Central Philippines
Mount Kanlaon, a volcano in the Central Philippines, erupted once more on the morning of April 8, propelling a column of ash approximately 4,000 metres into the atmosphere.
Is South Korea’s political turmoil being underwritten by Beijing?
With Japan, South Korea and China working closer than ever to address US tariffs on three of the world’s leading economies, anti-American agents in Asia are undoubtedly working behind the scenes to further reshape the regional balance of power.
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Japan’s gradual recovery strengthens the case for May rate hike
Japan’s economy is showing signs of a steady recovery, supported by resilient industrial production, retail sales, and a tight labour market.
COMMENT: Brazil’s Lula builds economic bridges across the Pacific
Brazil's President Lula boosted ties with Japan and Vietnam during his Asian tour last week, securing aircraft deals, beef markets and partnerships.
US Defence Secretary Hegseth downgrades Russian threat, focus exclusively on Taiwan in new foreign policy strategy
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has reoriented the US military to prioritise deterring China’s seizure of Taiwan and shoring up homeland defence, but has downgraded Russia to a second tier, along with several other potential enemies.
The ‘Squad’ looks at adding two new members to counter China in the Indo-Pacific
The Philippines is seeking to expand the informal security alliance known as the ‘Squad’ by including India and South Korea, in an effort to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Chinese intimidation tactics against Taiwan continue
The constant military pressure from China, which views the island as a breakaway province, is showing as Taipei repeatedly works to raise awareness of the issue with the international community.