Japan
The Asian take on recognition of a Palestinian State
Muslim-majority nations or those seeking to expand their influence in the Middle East will support or reaffirm recognition. Meanwhile, countries embedded in US frameworks or enjoying ties with Israel are are expected to remain cautious.
Papua New Guinea steps up renewable energy drive with global support
Currently, only around 13% of Papua New Guinea’s population has reliable access to electricity, with the majority of rural communities dependent on diesel generators or without power altogether.
Japan targets tech giants with new app market regulations
Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has released new guidelines under a law designed to address monopolistic practices in the smartphone app sector, primarily targeting Apple and Google.
The top three ‘megatrends’ set to transform the Asia Pacific region
The rapid development of technologies such as generative AI and the metaverse is already changing how people in Asia Pacific live, work, socialise and shop.
Kamchatka M8.8 quake; Asia region tsunami update
Southwest of Japan in Taiwan the Central Weather Administration issued a tsunami watch after the quake struck at around 7.25 a.m. Taiwan time: wave arrival was anticipated around 1.18 p.m., with possible wave heights of up to 1m.
Huge earthquake in Russia's Far East triggers Pacific-wide tsunami alerts
One of the most powerful earthquakes recorded this year struck Russia's Far East in the early hours of July 30, triggering tsunami warnings across the northern Pacific, including for Japan, Alaska, Hawaii and as far south as New Zealand.
Trump Administration's trade deals so far - Statista
On July 27, the United States and the European Union agreed on a trade deal that is lowering tariffs of 30% on European goods threatened by August to 15%, including on cars.
Recent floods across Asia kill hundreds, leave devastation in their wake
From South and Southeast Asia to Central and East Asia, communities have been grappling with flash floods, landslides and glacial lake outbursts as warming temperatures and shifting monsoon dynamics fuel increasingly erratic weather.
IPCC releases dire sixth climate update in run-up to COP30
“Any further delay in global action to slow climate change and adapt to its impacts will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all”.
ASIA BLOG: If the Thailand-Cambodia conflict escalates, Vietnam won’t stand idle – nor will the US and China
The current flare-up between Thailand and Cambodia feels different from previous disputes. What initially appeared to be a limited skirmish over disputed borderland and nationalist rhetoric now carries the faint, unmistakable whiff of escalation.
ICJ declares healthy environment is a human right in landmark climate ruling
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a historic advisory opinion recognising a clean and sustainable environment as a human right, declaring that states which fail to curb emissions may be in violation of international law.
Earth overshoot day is already long past – Statista
July 24 marks this year's Earth Overshoot Day, the day that humanity’s demand for ecological resources exceeds the resources Earth can regenerate within that year, Statista reports. That day has already long passed.
_-_CC_BY_4.0_Cropped_1753265835.jpg)
Japan jolted by a ‘youthquake’ just before Trump announces ‘massive’ deal
The US’s ‘massive’ deal declaration is a statement the drowning Ishiba may now see as a straw at which to clutch to extend his own political tenure as PM, while throwing the Japanese agriculture sector under the bus driven by Donald Trump.
World has less than three years to avert worst climate impacts, scientists warn
A new global climate report warns that the world is on the brink of irreversible damage. The findings come amid sluggish international action ahead of COP30.
Turkey blocks e-SIM providers
Legal basis for the move unknown, says cyber law expert.
Fitch upgrades Trump’s effective tariff rate to 19.4%
President Donald Trump’s evolving trade policy is set to sharply increase the United States’ effective tariff rate (ETR), with Fitch Ratings warning of substantial rises as new duties take effect on August 1.
Geopolitics is weighing on FDI, capital chasing certainty over scale – study
The world is living through turbulent times, but investors are still chasing returns which has affected the flows of international foreign direct investment.
Japan objects to South Korean military exercises near disputed islets
Japan has formally expressed its disapproval of South Korea’s recent military activity near a group of contested islets in the Sea of Japan.
Japan’s Self-Defence Forces are much more capable than many think
During the past decade Japan has quietly but steadily modernised its defence apparatus. While Tokyo avoids the loud rhetoric of some of its neighbours, its actions speak volumes.
_-_CC_By_2.0_Cropped_1752732421.jpg)
ASIA BLOG: The global fallout of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan
There have already been rumblings in Taiwan that self destruction of key infrastructure would be preferential to Chinese takeover.