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Philip Heijmans
China Coast Guard personnel aboard rigid hull inflatable boats (in black) during a confrontation with Philippine Navy personnel near the Second Thomas Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea on June 17
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Jun 26, 2024
China’s ax-wielding coast guard tests limits in South China Sea
The Philippines Armed Forces called the June 17 moves by China a "brutal assault" and said the Chinese sailors acted like pirates.
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Ever-growing tensions in the South China Sea all point to an uncomfortable truth for Southeast Asian nations, as well as the U.S.: In this standoff, China is winning.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 24, 2024
Xi’s armada is winning the battle for energy in South China Sea
China’s increasingly assertive stance has sparked a flurry of diplomatic and military efforts aimed at countering Beijing’s footprint.
Lee Hsien Loong might not stray far from politics, having said previously that he will remain at the "new PM’s disposal” after the handover.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 16, 2024
Singapore charts new path after half-century of Lee family rule
Lee Hsien Loong announced that he will step aside next month after 20 years as prime minister and hand the reins over to Lawrence Wong.
Construction on the Techo Funan Canal, which will span some 180 kilometers from Phnom Penh to the Cambodian coastal province of Kep, is slated to begin later this year.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 15, 2024
U.S. urges transparency over China-backed canal in Cambodia
The waterway will span some 180 kilometers from Phnom Penh to the coastal province of Kep.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 16, 2023
‘Bangkok Spring’ sets up showdown over role of Thai monarchy
The push to directly change laws affecting the monarchy breaks a longstanding taboo — even the suggestion of disloyalty to the palace has been grounds for a military coup.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 11, 2023
Thailand's election is being shaped by a new generation challenging the monarchy
The phenomenon represents one of the biggest challenges in years to the military and royal establishment, which have prevented democracy from forming.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 31, 2022
Taiwan tensions raise alarms over risks to world’s subsea cables
A disruption in a conflict with China could result in Taiwan getting cut off from the world, similar to what happened to the Pacific Island nation of Tonga earlier this year.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 8, 2022
Rich nations are ready to help Indonesia abandon coal, but is the country ready?
The fossil fuel generates about 60% of Indonesia's electricity, and has made fortunes for some of the nation's most powerful business elites.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 11, 2022
Private meal with kingpin offers clues to how Marcos will rule Philippines
A dinner he attended soon after entering the race last October may provide clues on his priorities — and to whom he's beholden.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 20, 2021
Japan’s refusal to sanction Myanmar undermines Biden’s strategy
Tokyo's reluctance to put financial pressure on the junta shows the difficulties Washington faces in convincing Asian allies to put real teeth behind calls to defend democracy.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 18, 2021
Singapore bloggers turn to crowdfunding to pay defamation bills
Blogs provide an avenue for government criticism in a country that ranks among the worst in the world for press freedom.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 20, 2021
Singapore keeps dorm migrants segregated even as pandemic abates
Weeks after new cases among laborers dropped to almost zero and thousands have received vaccinations, some wonder how long it will take for restrictions to end.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 20, 2019
China-backed Dara Sakor project in Cambodia rings alarm bells in Washington
Along pristine Cambodian beaches, past parades of elephants in its largest national park, sits an area half the size of Singapore that is raising alarm bells among military strategists in the U.S. and beyond.

Longform

Yasuyuki Yoshida stirs a brew in a fermentation tank at his brewery in Hakusan.
The quake that shook Noto's sake brewing tradition