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Exclusive reports, features and analysis of political and social events from across the Asian continent. Friday at 3:45pm Paris time.
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When she was elected head of Japan's ruling party, Sanae Takaichi declared that she had abandoned the term "work-life balance" and asked fellow party members to "work like a horse". A month into office, the country's first female prime minister appears to have put her words into action. She told parliament that she was only sleeping two to four hours at night, a few days after organising a 3am staff meeting. In a country plagued by a culture of overwork, this hasn't gone down well.
Zohran Mamdani celebrated his Indian roots during his campaign for mayor of New York City. After winning the race, the 34-year-old’s victory was celebrated by Indians online – but officials in New Delhi have remained tight-lipped. In this edition of Access Asia, we find out why. Plus, Indian engineering students put their US ambitions on hold as new H-1B visa rules kick in.
Recently back from military service, BTS's leader RM made history by becoming the first K-pop idol to give a keynote address at an APEC CEO summit in South Korea, calling on global leaders to support culture and embrace diversity. Coming four years after the band were invited to speak at the UN General Assembly, it was the latest display of Seoul's soft-power diplomacy, capitalising on K-pop's phenomenal global success.
On the show this week, we explore where things stand between the US and India, as reports emerge that the two sides are nearing a trade agreement. We ask our expert whether trust can be restored with Washington, and examine what lies ahead for relations with Moscow as Russian crude imports may soon dry up. We also look at where Japan is headed as its first female prime minister takes office. Plus, sumo wrestlers return to London for the second time — and become an instant hit.
In a remarkable turnaround in bilateral relations, India has extended a warm welcome to the Taliban's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his week-long trip. The first visit in years by a senior Taliban official sparked controversy, including the exclusion of female journalists from a press conference which he later reorganised. Yuka Royer speaks with Subir Sinha, director of SOAS's South Asia Institute, about the significance of this visit and its regional implications.
On the show this week, we ask what message Kim Jong-un is trying to send to the West, and the US in particular, as he marks 80 years since the founding of the North Korean Workers' Party. We also explore how India's stance in the Middle East has shifted, as it tilts closer to Israel. Plus, an HPV vaccine drive faces road bumps in Pakistan over claims of misinformation.
Chinese lawmakers are reviewing a new law that tells parents to teach their children to love the Communist Party and criminalises any activity deemed to be damaging "ethnic unity". Yuka Royer speaks with Human Rights Watch's Asia director, who says the bill is a part of a broader effort under President Xi Jinping to try to erase individual ethnic and cultural identities, and that if passed, it would entrench repression of minorities and expand Beijing's ideological control beyond its borders.
Is India being forced to reconsider its relationship with the United States? In Access Asia, we explore how the aftershocks of the US's new H-1B visa policy are being felt in New Delhi. We also bring you the latest on Indonesia making overtures towards Israel after recognising Palestine back in 1988. Plus, we tell you why the Disney+ K-drama "Tempest" is stirring up a storm in China.
"Evil Unbound", a new film depicting the horrors of the Imperial Japanese Army’s Unit 731 and its germ warfare programme, has hit cinemas across China and beyond. As the latest in a wave of patriotic films to find success at home, it sheds light on one of WWII’s darkest chapters – Unit 731, the covert military unit that conducted inhumane human experiments during the war. We take a deep dive into the historical reality behind the film, featuring testimonies from former Unit 731 members – never before seen in Europe – and expert insight from Dr. Andres Rodriguez of the University of Sydney.
More than 300 South Koreans detained in the US after a massive immigration raid on a Hyundai-LG factory have returned home, despite the Trump administration's offer to let them stay. As he marked 100 days since he took over a country in crisis, President Lee Jae Myung warned that the incident could make companies hesitate to invest in the US. Jay Song, honorary associate professor at The Australian National University, speaks to FRANCE 24 about the possible wider consequences of the raid.
This week, China showed off its military and diplomatic prowess at a giant Victory Day parade, with dozens of world leaders – but few from the West – in attendance. President Xi Jinping stood shoulder to shoulder with Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, declaring that China was "never intimidated by bullies". But does Beijing really want to create a new world order?
In this edition of Access Asia, we explore how New Delhi is grappling with new 50 percent US tariffs taking effect. Will the souring relations between Narendra Modi and Donald Trump force India to rethink its ties with the United States and look further east? Meanwhile, South Korea scores another pop-culture win as its animated musical "KPop Demon Hunters" smashes Netflix records.
On this week's show, we speak with author Aatish Taseer about his new book, "A Return to Self: Excursions in Exile". He shares why he has no regrets for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "India's Divider in Chief" in his 2019 Time article. We also report on how Bangladesh remains on edge as the country approaches the one-year anniversary of Sheikh Hasina's ouster. Plus, two North Korean defectors make their K-pop debut.
On Access Asia this week, we speak to historian Audrey Truschke, whose new book covers 5,000 years of history on the Subcontinent. She tells us how she remains committed to historical truth, saying: "I will not be swayed by modern politics, modern pressures, no matter how extreme they are." We also cover how Afghans have been left in limbo, with the latest deportation drive from Iran underway.
The last remaining active pro-democracy party in Hong Kong has disbanded, citing pressure from Beijing. It's the latest casualty in a years-long crackdown that's already extinguished much of the city's opposition. Meanwhile, exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has confirmed he will have a successor after his death, ruffling some feathers in China ahead of his ninetieth birthday. Finally, the most successful series ever streamed on Netflix, "Squid Game", is coming to an end. The third and final season of the South Korean show has set a new record for the streaming platform in the first three days.
Recent conflicts have brought the threat of nuclear war to the forefront of many minds. Experts warn that the current geopolitical tensions have likely hardened North Korea's resolve to retain its nuclear capabilities. Against this backdrop, Yuka Royer speaks with Seiichiro Mise, who survived the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki at the age of 10. He shares his story and urges the world to take action towards eliminating nuclear weapons and to "spread the seeds of peace".
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran is testing old alliances. Asian heavyweights China and India have taken different positions. This week we take a closer look at what’s behind the posturing from Beijing and New Delhi. Plus, where does Asia’s other nuclear-armed state, Pakistan, stand on the issue?
South Korea has suspended its propaganda broadcasts across the border to North Korea, following the election of new president Lee Jae-myung, who wants to improve relationships with Seoul's Communist neighbour. According to the South's military, Pyongyang has followed suit by switching off its loudspeakers near the Demilitarised Zone. It comes as a relief to local residents, who have had to contend with blaring sounds 24/7.
Recent student visa pauses by the US have left thousands of Indian and Chinese students in the lurch. On this week's show we bring you a report on how students in New Delhi are being forced to look for alternatives. Plus, we speak to the first Chinese woman commencement speaker in Harvard's history, as US President Donald Trump's feud with America's oldest university intensifies. Luanna Jiang tells us she's surprised her viral speech got politicised.
Superstitious tourists from Hong Kong and China have been cancelling their trips to Japan, partly due to a manga – first published in the 1990s – predicting that a major catastrophe will hit the country in July. We take a closer look.
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