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This Week in Asia
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), places a red paper rose on the name of an elected candidate at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo during Sunday’s general election. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ Takaichi sweeps election with historic win

Sanae Takaichi’s coalition secures 352 seats, handing the prime minister a supermajority.

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‘Time is ripe’: why China is eyeing another vast canal link to Southeast Asia

Conservatives storm to victory in Thailand’s election

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People

Law and disorder: Japan’s police force faces its own crime wave

National Police Agency figures showed that 337 personnel had to be disciplined last year, the highest in a decade.

Police officers stand guard near the Horyuji Temple in Ikaruga, Nara prefecture on January 14. Photo: Kyodo/AP
Police officers stand guard near the Horyuji Temple in Ikaruga, Nara prefecture on January 14. Photo: Kyodo/AP

People

‘Deported but not defeated’: the Southeast Asians cast out of Trump’s US

Born in a Thai refugee camp and raised in Texas, Kham Paneboun is now stateless in Laos, one of thousands punished again for old crimes.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Indonesia’s 68,000-year-old handprint: the birth of human art?

Found hiding beneath a chicken sketch, the faded outline proves ancient humans were capable of reflecting on their existence, scientists say.

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Southeast Asia

‘I can’t get fresh air in my home’: Malaysia’s data centre boom chokes locals

Johor residents say they cannot dry laundry on their balconies any more, while air purifiers signal dangerously poor levels of air quality.

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A data centre is seen under construction in Malaysia’s Johor state in 2024. Photo: AP
A data centre is seen under construction in Malaysia’s Johor state in 2024. Photo: AP

Economics

Outcry in Bangladesh over politician’s call to curb women in workforce

The proposal has sparked concerns that it would damage the country’s vital garment sector, which is dominated by female workers.

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Economics

India’s trade blitz seeks to keep a sinking global order afloat

‘Jolted out of its slumber’ by US tariffs, New Delhi is aggressively diversifying trade alliances to act as a bridge in a polarised world.

People

Exclusive | Inside Indonesia’s inner circle: Hashim Djojohadikusumo on Prabowo’s vision

The Indonesian president’s brother talks ‘fried’ stocks, ‘mosquito’ rivals and MSCI’s Turkmenistan insult in an exclusive interview.

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Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s brother and trusted confidant, poses for a photograph after speaking with This Week in Asia. Photo: Rizky Maulana Yanua

East Asia

‘I won’t survive’: North Korean soldier caught by Ukraine dreads going home

Seoul faces a diplomatic tightrope as the captured soldiers plead for asylum in South Korea.

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A North Korean prisoner of war who was captured by Ukrainian forces in 2025. Photo: AFP
A North Korean prisoner of war who was captured by Ukrainian forces in 2025. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

‘Tip of the iceberg’: arrests in Nepal over fake mountain rescues welcomed

The suspects are believed to be among a network of scammers who have cheated insurers by staging fake rescue operations for years.

Politics

Hope for thaw? Seoul hints at ‘new progress’ in US-North Korea ties

The official’s remarks come amid speculation that US President Donald Trump could seek a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Economics

Singapore Airshow: airlines ‘crying out loud’ for planes amid supply crisis

With Boeing and Airbus set back by production bottlenecks, airlines are eager for more supply to tap Southeast Asia’s potential, analysts say.

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Attendees visit the Boeing pavilion at the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Why gold still glitters in Asia despite volatility triggering ‘panic selling’

Investors are also looking to buy more silver despite the recent rush of funds towards the US dollar, analysts say.

The outlook for gold remains strong in Asia due to its reputation as a safe haven investment. Photo: Shutterstock
The outlook for gold remains strong in Asia due to its reputation as a safe haven investment. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Malaysian minister’s use of ‘Alhamdulillah’ sparks PAS’ objections

Nga Kor Ming’s use of the Arabic phrase in parliament prompted a warning by a PAS MP that it could ‘confuse Muslims’.

People

Her husband was linked to Philippine flood scandal. Now she returns to limelight

Evangelista’s husband, ex-senate president Francis Escudero, is accused of receiving US$2.7 million in kickbacks from flood control projects.

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Economics

India’s trade blitz seeks to keep a sinking global order afloat

‘Jolted out of its slumber’ by US tariffs, New Delhi is aggressively diversifying trade alliances to act as a bridge in a polarised world.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (right) and European Council President Antonio Costa at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on January 27. Photo: European Council/dpa
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (right) and European Council President Antonio Costa at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on January 27. Photo: European Council/dpa

Politics

‘Critical point’: can Thailand election pave way for national reset?

With the economy struggling and corruption rife, Thai voters will look to the February 8 election as a chance to turn the country around.

Politics

Malaysia’s Islamists preach ‘racial domination’ to woo young voters

They govern the north, dominate the opposition and claim to soon be the undisputed home of Malay nationalism. Is Putrajaya next for PAS?

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Politics

Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

Analysts warn of a ‘very messy year’ ahead as coup fears swirl, the economy falters and political warfare rages out in the open.

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Effigies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) and Vice-President Sara Duterte are seen at a protest march in Manila. Photo: AFP
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Economics

India’s trade blitz seeks to keep a sinking global order afloat

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (right) and European Council President Antonio Costa at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on January 27. Photo: European Council/dpa

Politics

Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ Takaichi sweeps election with historic win

videocam
64
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), places a red paper rose on the name of an elected candidate at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo during Sunday’s general election. Photo: Reuters

People

‘Deported but not defeated’: the Southeast Asians cast out of Trump’s US

videocam
US federal agents enter a residential building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Politics

Conservatives storm to victory in Thailand’s election

4
Thailand’s caretaker PM, Anutin Charnvirakul, reacts on Sunday in Bangkok as his party takes the lead. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

Indonesia’s 68,000-year-old handprint: the birth of human art?

Handprints with sharpened fingertips on a cave wall in the Maros region of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Photo: Ahdi Agus Oktaviana/Maxime Aubert/AP
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