Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysi
Singapore’s prime minister Lawrence Wong will see his salary raised by about US$1.1m, bringing his annual remuneration to US$2.85m. The change is part of a broader pay increase for Singapore’s ministers - the first rise in 15 years. Singapore’s government has long viewed high salaries as a way to attract top talent and keep corruption at bay. Lawrence Wong has pledged to donate the increased pay to charity for the next five years, but critics on social media have still branded the move as "tone deaf” amid public concerns about job security and the rising cost of living. Wong is the highest…
There have been fresh protests in Japan against the longstanding presence of US military forces, after a 20-year-old American military serviceman was arrested by Japanese police over a suspected murder of a woman. US Marine Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, accused of killing a 39-year-old Japanese woman Anna Yagi, is in Japanese custody on the island of Okinawa. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has registered an official protest with Washington, but some residents think that is not enough. Okinawa hosts the largest US military presence in Japan. It is home to several US military…
Malaysia has begun sending migrants from Myanmar home, with the first group of almost 1,500 people arriving in southern Yangon in early October. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says in total, 5,000 people will be sent home, and he describes the repatriations as ‘voluntary’, a claim human rights groups question. The migrants being repatriated have been living in detention centers often in poor conditions, with no prospect of long-term residency as Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention and does not legally recognize refugees or asylum seekers. The country also treats…
Written off as the inferior bean, robusta coffee might have the last laugh as climate change makes arabica harder to grow. While rising heat pushes prized arabica-growing regions to their limits, robusta, the stronger but less fruitier-tasting bean, can handle the temperatures arabica can't. Vietnam is the world's undisputed robusta leader and the planet's second-biggest coffee exporter overall, which means a warming world could actually hand it an edge other coffee nations don't have. But the story isn't that simple. Vietnam's coffee farmers are aging, EU deforestation rules threaten a…
Indonesia is considering allowing dual citizenship for a limited group of highly skilled Indonesians living abroad, including scientists, engineers, doctors and AI researchers. The proposal is aimed at encouraging Indonesians who have built careers overseas to maintain a connection with the country and eventually contribute to its economy and development. But dual citizenship remains relatively uncommon in Asia. So why do countries such as Japan, China, South Korea and Singapore restrict it, while the Philippines and Cambodia allow it? In this episode, host Mariko Oi speaks to a freelance…
They were taught to obey. But they learnt to resist, turning detective. Students from a network of Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia hear about allegations of a dark secret at the heart of the powerful institution that shaped their lives. They set out to seek the truth - not knowing what it will cost them. BBC Journalist Rebecca Henschke joins Asia Specific host Mariko Oi to detail a new investigation in Indonesia for the World of Secrets podcast - a story about friendship, love and who to trust. World of Secrets: Catching My Teacher is a new audio series from the BBC World Service -…
China’s young people are turning to temples, fortune-telling, tarot, and spiritual products, not necessarily because they’ve found religion, but because they’re looking for something to hold onto in uncertain times. They’re worried about jobs, incomes, and the future, and many are seeking luck, reassurance, and a sense of control. For some, that means burning incense at a temple or asking for their fortune. For others, it means buying bracelets, charms, and other products said to bring good fortune. And businesses are taking notice. Brands and temples alike are tapping into a growing…
There’s been a litany of warnings about AI and its potential dangers. A top safety researcher at Anthropic, one of the biggest AI companies in the US, warned the technology is advancing at a pace so fast that there’s a 10% chance it “could kill all humans” within the next decade. Such concerns have led to calls for a coordinated action in the US to slow down the development of the technology. But there are also some who have challenged the need for guardrails – including US President Donald Trump – arguing that it would surrender America's dominance over the technology to its rivals. China’s…
Top Australian Hyrox athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has apologised after soiling herself during a race in Beijing, saying she would withdraw from the event and forfeit the points she earned. The company behind the fitness phenomenon has also apologised for allowing her to continue and win, amid criticism over hygiene and athlete welfare. The incident has shone a spotlight on the rapidly growing fitness trend, which combines running with functional exercises including sled pushes, rowing, lunges and burpees. So why has Hyrox become so popular across Asia? And could the controversy dent its momentum?…
Australia was the first country in the world to ban social media for under-16s. Now, it's taking aim at something even bigger: the algorithms that keep everyone hooked. Under a new "My Feed, My Way" proposal, tech companies could be forced to let users switch off the personalised recommendation systems that decide what they see on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Supporters say it could reduce exposure to addictive, divisive content. Critics, including the platforms themselves, warn it could make apps far less useful, and put the burden of managing it back on parents. This comes as Meta agreed…
Australia is home to some of the world's most distinctive wildlife — nearly 90% of its mammals exist nowhere else on Earth. But Australia is also where a mammal extinction is happening at an alarming pace. Species are disappearing at a rate of roughly four every decade, driven by feral predators, habitat destruction, and a changing climate. Feral cats alone kill an estimated three billion native animals and insects every year. But it’s not all bleak. In Western Australia, conservationists have spent decades bringing the numbat, a small, striped marsupial found only in Australia, back from…
Haze wafting across borders in South East Asia is an annual problem, so why can’t the countries responsible stop it happening? The haze is primarily caused by farmers and landowners slashing and burning plots of land - a relatively cheap and fast way of preparing a field for crops. This year, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto is talking tough towards those responsible for the fires, pledging to revoke permits for firms that order land clearing with fire. But that’s done little to stop the haze, which is also caused by farmers in neighbouring Malaysia. The smoke has engulfed neighbouring…
From Jackie Chan and Wong Kar-wai to the city’s gritty crime thrillers and romantic dramas, there was a time when Hong Kong cinema was everywhere. The city was once one of Asia’s great filmmaking capitals, producing movies and stars that became cultural icons around the world. But today, that creative energy is looking increasingly hard to find. The national security law, tighter censorship and the growing influence of mainland China have made it harder for filmmakers to tell the kinds of stories that once defined Hong Kong. And funding for movies is also drying up at the same time as the…
The AI boom means data centres are being built at an unprecedented pace around the world and in South East Asia, Malaysia has emerged as one of the biggest hubs for this expansion. But the rapid construction growth for data centres is also prompting a backlash. Data centres can consume enormous amounts of electricity and water, while critics question how many long-term jobs they actually create for local communities. In Malaysia, residents have protested against proposed developments, while governments are trying to balance economic growth with environmental and social concerns. In this…
Across Asia, a growing number of young people are becoming hikikomori, a term used to describe people who suffer from a severe social withdrawal. They shut themselves in their homes, retreating from work, school, or their families for months, sometimes years. That condition was first observed in Japan but other countries like South Korea, China and Singapore have since reported a rising number of youths choosing to shut themselves at home. That’s raising difficult questions about loneliness, social pressure and mental health. Some countries like South Korea are trying something unexpected:…
Frantic search efforts are underway in Nepal and the Tibetan side of the Chinese border after a devastating flash flood and landslide swept through a valley. Thousands of rescue personnel have been deployed as crews search through thick mud and debris for survivors, with hundreds of people unaccounted for at the time of recording - August 27th, 2026. Host Mariko Oi speaks to a journalist from the BBC Nepali service in Kathmandu, Sanjaya Dhakal, about the pressure on hospitals and the arrival of international assistance. We also hear from Tom Robinson, a Senior Lecturer in Disaster Risk and…
Seen as pests in some parts of Asia, long-tailed macaques are highly sought-after in the world of biopharmaceutical research for drug development. But now a worldwide shortage means one monkey can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, so what’s driving up the cost? China’s fast-developing biopharmaceutical industry has created more demand for macaques, and South East Asia is jumping on the opportunity to deliver. Indonesia is resuming its export of macaques, to the chagrin of animal welfare groups who warn it may worsen the exploitation of an endangered species. Not just any monkey can be…
The Grammys created a new category for Asian pop music, but BTS have decided to withdraw from the awards in 2027. The group says music should be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language. The Recording Academy, organisers of the Grammy Awards, said the creation of several new categories, including Asian pop, is meant to make the ceremony more inclusive. So, is the new category a long-overdue recognition of Asia’s growing influence on global pop or does it risk putting Asian artists in a box? Presenter Mariko Oi speaks to BBC music correspondent Mark…
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is tightening visa and residency rules for foreigners amid growing concerns about the pace of immigration in recent years. But Japan’s overall population continues to shrink alongside neighbouring China and South Korea, raising a question: Why don’t these countries embrace larger-scale immigration as a way to offset the decline? Takaichi’s changes to permanent residency rules, visa fees and compliance processes aim to enforce and tidy up an existing system that has already opened the door to foreign workers. But until the last decade or so, immigration…
China has a growing “manosphere”. But it isn't a copy of the one in the West. So what's fuelling the anger among many young Chinese men? There are no Andrew Tate-style influencers leading a movement. Instead, frustration is spread across online communities where some young men vent about dating and the cost of building a family. The soaring cost of marriage and the long shadow of the one-child policy have turned up economic and demographic pressures on the country, reshaping relationships in China today. On this episode, host Mariko Oi is joined by a senior journalist working on the Asia…
Myanmar’s military-backed government is seeking legitimacy from its neighbours, more than five years after troops overthrew a democratically-elected government and triggered a bloody civil war. So does this mean the imprisoned former leader and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi will be released? Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing pulled off a huge diplomatic victory with a red carpet welcome from influential neighbour Thailand in August. His visit prompted criticism from Burmese exiles in Thailand, some whom describe Min Aung Hlaing as a “criminal” responsible for a conflict that has claimed…
If you’ve ever booked a flight across Asia for less than US$100, you might have asked the question many travellers are now wondering: was that a temporary golden age, or can cheap travel make a comeback? Asia used to be the home of ultra-cheap flights, but many travellers say those days are fading fast. Rising fuel prices, aircraft shortages and heavy post-pandemic debt are putting pressure on budget airlines across the region. In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to aviation analysts Shukor Yusof and Brendan Sobie about whether the glory days of low-cost travel in Asia…
In a highly unusual move, the US has stepped in to back Japan's currency, the yen. Donald Trump calls it a "signal of friendship" but what is Washington hoping to achieve? And what does the move reveal about Japan's economy, after years of deflation and ultra-low interest rates? In this special bonus episode, Asia Specific podcast host Mariko Oi joins as guest of the BBC Business Daily podcast hosts Rahul Tandon and Will Bain to assess the intervention and what it will mean for Japan. This is an additional bonus episode, you'll still receive the two regular Asia Specific podcast episodes…
A record 12.7 million university students in China are about to enter the workforce, putting an already strained job market under unprecedented pressure. China’s youth unemployment rate has been relatively high, hovering around 15%, but the growing challenge of AI has some analysts forecasting a youth jobless spike. Artificial intelligence is starting to replace an entire layer of entry-level positions that have traditionally been the starting point for fresh graduates. China, one of the world's fastest adopters of AI, is feeling the impact. So what can China's government and its young…
The worldwide counterfeit and pirated goods industry is estimated to be worth almost half-a-trillion US dollars, and Vietnam is one of the most significant players in the illicit trade. But now the country’s government is seeking to change that. In May 2026, Vietnam was named by the US government as one of the worst offenders for Intellectual Property right violations. Combined with fresh threats of renewed tariffs from the Trump administration, Vietnam’s government has launched a crackdown, targeting local vendors selling counterfeit goods. Mariko Oi delves into the counterfeit crackdown in…
China is famous for making products the world wants to buy, but inside the country, consumers are spending far less than the government would like. A property slump, high youth unemployment and weak confidence have left many households choosing to save instead of spend, making it harder for China to shift its economy away from relying on exports. The Chinese government has introduced a range of measures to encourage spending, from consumer subsidies to a new five-year consumption plan. But why haven't these policies delivered the results Beijing hoped for? And is China's low consumer…
For the first time in 20 years, a major global survey conducted between February and May of 2026 has found that more countries favour China over the US. The Pew Research Center, a non-partisan, US-based think tank, found that China’s global image is eclipsing that of the US, with 25 out of 36 countries surveyed preferring China over the US – a reversal from previous years. The shift comes as President Donald Trump's foreign and economic policies have upended the global order. China has spent years working to build a more favourable reputation abroad, drawing accusations of state-sponsored…
Humanoid robots are suddenly everywhere - dancing, boxing, running marathons and even attempting surgery. China is leading the charge, producing the vast majority of the world's humanoid robots. But beyond the viral videos, are these machines actually useful? Why has China emerged as the global leader in robot manufacturing? How is AI transforming what robots can do? And can countries like the US, Japan, and Germany keep pace? In this episode, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC Beijing correspondent Stephen McDonell and BBC cyber correspondent Joe Tidy about whether humanoid robots are finally…
Multiple families in Singapore are facing an unimaginable possibility that the children they legally adopted from Indonesia may have been victims of an alleged baby trafficking network. A major trial is underway in Indonesia involving 19 defendants accused of buying babies, forging documents, and arranging adoptions of the children, including at least 12 babies who were brought to Singapore. The defendants deny the allegations. The case has raised difficult questions about international adoption, how trafficking networks operate and why vulnerable parents give up their babies. On this…
On July 2, separatist rebels released a video saying that they had shot dead a US pilot and set his plane on fire in Indonesia's far eastern Papua region. The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) said they killed 29-year-old Nicholas F Gosselin after he landed in the Highland Papua province, and claimed that the pilot had been transporting Indonesian troops into the region. Indonesia’s military rejects those claims, saying the passengers were indigenous Papuans. Indonesian officials confirmed that Gosselin's plane had been found burnt, but said it was unclear what happened to him or…
About Asia Specific
Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysi
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