(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
Politics: News & Insights - Nikkei Asia

Politics

21 May 2025
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will continue to act also as Singapore's finance minister in this parliament. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Former Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo, talks at a rally with supporters in Quezon City, Philippines, ahead of the 2022 presidential election.
Opinion

The rise of a progressive 'third force' in Philippine politics

Liberal opposition group faces tough challenges to beat Marcos and Duterte camps

21 May 2025
Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, left, and former MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, pictured during their campaign events. (Photos by Norman Goh)
Politics

Malaysian PM Anwar's daughter faces off with minister for key party post

Battle for deputy presidency 'deepens cracks' within ruling PKR, say experts

21 May 2025
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s slate of Senate candidates was expected to dominate in the midterm elections, but ended up securing only five of the 12 seats up for grabs.
Philippine elections

Marcos to focus on economic agenda to build legacy

Philippine president offers olive branch to Dutertes after suffering electoral setback

20 May 2025
This Fincantieri-made frigate will soon be headed to Indonesia but is now docked at Muggiano naval shipyard. (Fincantieri)
Defense

EU arms makers seek Southeast Asian partners amid China-US rivalry

Region's move to buy subs, jets jibes with Europe's plans to expand hubs, build up armies

20 May 2025
Min Lwin Oo, a technical intern in nursing care from Myanmar, speaks with a patient at a hospital in Kawasaki, southwest of Tokyo. (Photo by Akitoshi Sugiura)
Japan immigration

Myanmar workers head to Japan as turmoil deepens at home

Labor shortages drive demand for nursing and manufacturing jobs in host nation

20 May 2025
Sailors stand guard near fuel boats at the Cambodian Ream Naval Base, a Chinese-backed infrastructure project in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, in July 2019. 
Opinion

Cambodia's deep dependence on China lets Beijing bypass tariffs

The US trade war has pushed Phnom Penh to decide on a position

17 May 2025
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, right, and his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, shake hands in Hanoi on May 16.
International relations

Vietnam and Thailand upgrade relationship to highest level

Communist country is looking to boost ties with its ASEAN neighbors

16 May 2025
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media after voting in the midterm elections on May 12. Analysts say her looming impeachment trial in the Senate, which will determine her political fate, has now become too hard to call.
16 May 2025
Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, left, and a member of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. The refugees are often kidnapped by different Myanmar forces. (Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images)
International relations

Bangladesh engages with Myanmar's Arakan Army insurgents

Dhaka says it has no choice, given group's control of Rakhine state at its border

16 May 2025
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Podcast: News Roundup

Philippine elections, India-Pakistan conflict and more

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

16 May 2025
Stream article image
16 May 2025
An artist's impression of Phnom Penh's Techo Takhmao International Airport, the first phase of which is scheduled to open on July 10. (Screenshot from Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation's website)
International relations

US assesses financial support for construction of Cambodia airport

Move comes despite bilateral tariff and aid funding tensions

16 May 2025
The mine detection system will be launched from unmanned boats produced by Singapore's ST Engineering. (Thales © Eloi Stichelbaut | PolaRyse)
Aerospace & Defense Industries

France's Thales to supply AI mine detection system to Singapore Navy

Defense giant plans to tap Asian demand with new research center in country

15 May 2025
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inspect guards of honor during a welcoming ceremony before their meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
International relations

Indonesia upbeat on CPTPP and OECD bids with Australia backing

Albanese announces support for new wealth fund Danantara after Prabowo meeting

15 May 2025
Boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, now a former senator, has his picture taken before voting in Kiamba on May 12.
Sports

Pacquiao to return to ring after losing Philippine senate race

Boxing legend to fight Mario Barrios for WBC welterweight crown in July

15 May 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim deliver a joint media statement following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 14
International relations

Malaysia PM discusses MH17 downing with Russia's Putin

Putin calls thorough, comprehensive investigation that is not politicized

15 May 2025
Rebels in the Papua region have been fighting a low-level campaign for independence in this resource-rich area, which borders Papua New Guinea.
Politics

Indonesia military says 18 separatists killed in Papua region

Rebels fighting low-level insurgency stretching back decades

15 May 2025
Employees work on machines at a Chinese-funded textile factory in Cambodia. Chinese investments in Southeast Asia have increased since U.S. President Donald Trump escalated the trade war he initiated during his first term.
Trump tariffs

Trump tariff twists drive Chinese manufacturers to Southeast Asia

Reshuffling of supply chain to stay as uncertainty looks set to continue

14 May 2025
In mid-March, Vietnam's state-run PetroVietnam Gas signed agreements with two Texas-based energy majors, Excelerate Energy and ConocoPhillips, to cooperate on sourcing U.S. LNG supply as early as 2026.
Opinion

Vietnam caves to Trump on LNG, undermining climate credibility

Energy import deals may ease tariff tensions but risk locking in fossil fuel dependence

14 May 2025
No authoritarian regime has achieved enduring success, former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told Nikkei in a recent interview. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Interview

ASEAN can be mediator in US-China rivalry: Indonesia's Yudhoyono

Multilateralism is the key to preventing World War III, ex-president says

14 May 2025
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet this week with Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto. (Source photos by Reuters) 
International relations

Albanese to visit Indonesia in second term's first overseas trip

Bilateral relations seem gaining importance amid US-China regional competition

13 May 2025
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media after voting in the midterm elections on May 12. Analysts say her looming impeachment trial in the Senate, which will determine her political fate, has now become too hard to call.
Philippine elections

Philippine election results seen as boost for Sara Duterte

Vice president's hopes of surviving Senate trial have risen, analysts say

13 May 2025
Election posters on display in a Metro Manila street on May 12. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)  
Philippine elections

Philippines elections live: How the midterms unfolded

Key Senate race shows almost equal backing for Marcos and Duterte

13 May 2025
Candidates backed by Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, left, and her father -- former President Rodrigo Duterte -- did much better than expected in Monday's midterm elections, dealing a blow to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., right. (Source photos by Suzu Takahashi) 
Philippine elections

Philippine elections deliver surprise backing for ex-President Duterte

Unofficial Senate results signal weak showing for candidates supported by President Marcos

13 May 2025
Filipinos line up to vote in the country's midterm elections at a polling station in Metro Manila on May 12. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
Philippine elections

Philippines midterms to test Marcos popularity against Duterte

Senate ballot expected to determine fate of impeached vice president

12 May 2025
Signs written in Chinese can be found lining the streets of Bavet, Cambodia. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Economy

'China here, China there': Cambodian city reshaped by Chinese money

Manufacturing influx brings competition for labor and energy

11 May 2025
Supporters of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte cheer during an election campaign rally in Manila on Thursday. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Your Week in Asia

Philippines midterms, South Korea campaign start, Nissan earnings

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

11 May 2025
The ASEAN logo is displayed outside the venue of the ASEAN Finance Ministers' and Central Bank Governors' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on April 8.
Opinion

Can consensus still save ASEAN?

Its greatest asset should be updated now

11 May 2025
Incumbents in Australia, Singapore and Canada all won recent elections on platforms including strong opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff threats. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP, Reuters and Suzu Takahashi)
Opinion

US allies say no at the ballot box to Trump's tariff bullying

Australia, Singapore and Canada reelect incumbents with strong anti-MAGA stances

10 May 2025