Politics

22 September 2025
Traffic in Kuala Lumpur's business district: Under the fuel new scheme, Malaysian citizens will be entitled to 300 liters per month at the subsidized price, with exemptions for ride-hailing drivers
While the strong baht boosts Thailand's purchasing power, it also increases the cost of investing in Thailand. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Kosaku Mimura and Rie Ishii)
Trading Asia

Strong baht looms over Thailand's new PM, incoming central bank chief

Nation alarmed by Vietnam's dong weakness edge driving down Thai exports and tourism

22 September 2025
Filipino protesters hold up placards during a protest denouncing corruption in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Sept. 11.
Opinion

Marcos grapples with a flood of scandals in the Philippines

President needs to oversee serious, impartial investigations to avoid Indonesia-style protests

22 September 2025
People play games at the Tokyo Game Show in Chiba prefecture on Sept. 26, 2024. This year's edition will feature over 1,100 exhibitors -- the largest number ever. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Your Week in Asia

LDP presidential race, ASEAN economy meeting, Tokyo Game Show

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

21 September 2025
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Podcast: News Roundup

Vietnam's patriotic blockbuster and Nepal's Gen Z protests

Tune in to Nikkei Asia's podcast, bringing the region's key news to global listeners

19 September 2025
Thailand's new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul received royal endorsement for his new cabinet on Sept. 19. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Turbulent Thailand

New Thai cabinet receives king's royal endorsement

Poll shows moderate support for PM Anutin's minority government

19 September 2025
Thai military personnel stand guard near part of the border with Cambodian in August. 
Thailand-Cambodia conflict

Thai police fire tear gas at Cambodian protesters in disputed border area

Marks most significant escalation since ceasefire ended deadly five-day conflict

18 September 2025
University students carrying a banner and East Timor's flag take part in a protest demanding that the government cancel plans to provide lifetime pension and health allowances for lawmakers, outside the parliamentary building in Dili, East Timor, on Sept. 17.  © Reuters
18 September 2025
Erick Thohir, head of the Football Association of Indonesia, was fired as minister of state-owned enterprises Wednesday and appointed minister of youth affairs and sports. 
Politics

Indonesia removes minister of SOEs, handing greater power to Danantara

New sovereign wealth fund was already overseeing strategy of state-owned enterprises

17 September 2025
A China Coast Guard ship navigates near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Aug. 13.
South China Sea

China Coast Guard fires water cannon at Philippine ships in South China Sea

Manila accuses Beijing of 'aggressive' action that injured one person

17 September 2025
 Philippine Congressman Faustino Dy III, an ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was elected house speaker on Wednesday after Martin Romualdez resigned amid rising anger over an infrastructure corruption scandal. (Photo from  Faustino Dy III's Facebook page)
Politics

Marcos cousin replaced as house speaker as graft scandal furor builds

President's ally Faustino Dy III elected to replace Martin Romualdez

17 September 2025
In the first eight months of 2025, Ho Chi Minh City attracted $6.8 billion in foreign investment, up 58%, year on year, compared with 27% growth for Vietnam as a whole. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Economy

Ho Chi Minh City's expansion highlights challenge of state reform

Foreign investment grows but megacity struggles to clear land for projects

17 September 2025
Tbong Khmum Deputy Provincial Police Chief You Rethchansara, center, attends the Aug. 1 funeral in Phnom Penh of Leam Sampov Meas, a border police officer killed in the five-day conflict with Thailand in July, according to a Facebook post from the provincial government. (Photo from Facebook)
Thailand-Cambodia conflict

Cambodian military families mourn as nation's Thai conflict toll exceeds 50

Nikkei Asia analysis of Facebook posts indicates there were dozens more deaths than stated

16 September 2025
Malaysian military personnel undergo training from Japanese counterparts in how to use drones that will be donated to the Southeast Asian nation as part of Tokyo's Official Security Assistance program 
Politics

Japan to donate ships, drones to Malaysia under security assistance program

Move is part of Tokyo's efforts to counter Chinese activity in South China Sea

15 September 2025
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called China's plan to turn Scarborough Reef into a nature preserve "another coercive attempt" to advance claims in the South China Sea.
South China Sea

US backs Philippines against Beijing's South China Sea atoll plan

Rubio blasts China's claim on Scarborough Reef as 'destabilizing'

13 September 2025
Suphajee Suthumpun, who has resigned as Dusit Thani CEO to take up the government post of commerce minister, at a press conference in Bangkok on Sept. 12. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Travel & Leisure

CEO of Thailand's Dusit Thani resigns to become minister under Anutin

Son of late founder takes up top position at hotel group amid family feud

12 September 2025
Detainees are in the process of being handcuffed during a raid by U.S. agents at a Hyundai-LG factory in Ellabell, Georgia, where about 300 South Koreans were among 475 people arrested on Sept. 4.
International relations

Asian groups in US blast ICE training in Vietnam as 'vacation'

Weeklong seaside workshop comes in wake of raid on Hyundai plant, Vietnamese detainee deaths

12 September 2025
The Ban Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district, Cambodia: All land crossings between the countries remain closed more than a month after the five-day conflict ended.
Economy

Land border closure, migrant worker returns hit Cambodian economy

Growth estimates downgraded despite government optimism

12 September 2025
University students rally outside the House of Representatives in Jakarta over various demands, including release of hundreds of people still being detained after recent nationwide protests, on Sept. 9.  
Politics

Indonesians' discontent persists despite Prabowo's cabinet shakeup

Protesters plan more rallies, accuse the government of ignoring '17+8 Demands'

12 September 2025
Anutin Charnvirakul leaves parliament on Sept. 5 after his election as Thailand's new prime minister: A looming election campaign is expected to impel his administration to try to build a quick record of achievements.
Policy Asia

New Thai PM Anutin in race against clock to impress voters

Policy differences with bigger parties may see Bhumjaithai focus on populist measures

12 September 2025
Members of the Indonesian Special Forces Police counterterrorism squad walk by burned motorcycles following a blast at the Pentecost Church Central Surabaya, in Surabaya, Indonesia, in May 2018. 
Opinion

Jemaah Islamiyah's dissolution is not the end of counterterrorism

Jakarta should promote inclusive interpretations of Islam and support vulnerable communities

12 September 2025
A Chinese fishing vessel is anchored next to Filipino fishing boats at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in 2017.
South China Sea

Philippines takes aim at China's plan for nature reserve in disputed shoal

Manila says it 'strongly protests' move that 'clearly infringes' its rights

11 September 2025
People wade through a flooded street following heavy rains brought by Typhoon Co-may in Navotas City, Metro Manila, in July. 
Philippines

Philippines' flood control scandal sparks public ire over corruption

Duterte's son denies allegation as Marcos pushes probes into projects nationwide

11 September 2025
Anutin Charnvirakul arrives at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters in Bangkok for a news conference after receiving the royal endorsement to become Thailand's prime minister on Sept. 7. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Turbulent Thailand

New Thai PM plans revival of shopping stimulus to boost economy

Economist views Anutin's policies as 'short-term solutions' before promised election

11 September 2025
The new bill was signed into law by Senate President Hun Sen. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Thailand-Cambodia conflict

Cambodia enacts law that allows citizenship to be revoked

Nationality legislation targets those found to be colluding with other countries

11 September 2025
Japan is set to enter talks with the Philippines over the possible export of ships such as Abukuma-class destroyer escorts.  (Japanese Defense Ministry)
Defense

Japan in talks over frigate exports to the Philippines

Tokyo and Manila pursue security ties in response to shared concerns over China

10 September 2025
From left in front row, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping pose for a photo before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing on Sept. 3.
Opinion

As protests rage, Prabowo's China visit sends mixed signals to Indonesians

President must rethink free meals plan and re-anchor foreign policy

10 September 2025
Benny Prawira, center, and two other ethnic Chinese take part in a protest near the presidential palace in Jakarta: Chinese Indonesians these days say they feel less targeted. (Benny Prawira)
Politics

Ethnic Chinese Indonesians hail new era after escaping unrest

Oft-targeted community says it is no longer seen as 'common enemy'

10 September 2025
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrives at the Supreme Court in Bangkok on Sept. 9. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Turbulent Thailand

Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in prison, Thai Supreme Court rules

Verdict over his 6-month hospital stay deals another blow to Pheu Thai Party he founded

9 September 2025
Indonesia's newly appointed Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa waves to journalists following his inauguration in Jakarta on Sept. 8.
Economy

Indonesia's new finance minister faces fiscal, political tests

Sadewa will need to restore public trust while satisfying president and markets

9 September 2025