Asia Specific

Japan has been ranked the lowest in East and South East Asia for gender equality in a major annual index, even though the country now has a female Prime Minister. Japan ranked 117th out of 145 countries in the World Economic Forum’s latest gender gap index, lagging behind regional neighbours China and South Korea.One of the WEF’s key considerations is female political representation, but the historic rise of the country’s first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi over the past year has done little to move Japan’s ranking. Recently Takaichi stirred debate by saying she spends three to four more hours a day than her male predecessors on housework and make-up, drawing criticism that she is reinforcing expectations that women should do more domestic duties. So is Japan’s first female prime minister a trailblazer for women, or a reminder of how deep traditional expectations run?On this episode of Asia Specific podcast, host Mariko Oi is joined by Tokyo local councillor Risa Kamio to alongside the Editor of the podcast Bill Birtles.Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVtGet in touch: [email protected]

As AI gets better at translating languages, what will happen to human interpreters?Interpreters serve as a crucial bridge at international high-level meetings, arbitration hearings and events. AI is already able to swiftly and accurately translate text while voice recognition technology is now transforming real time interpreting. Already some companies are using the technology to teach foreign languages, making it more accessible than ever for students to learn. But is there any point anymore in learning a new language? And is the human element enough for the men and women whispering in the ears of senior figures at high stakes meetings to keep their profession? Or will cost-conscious clients put their faith in the capabilities of AI instead?On this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to two interpreters – Rex Chen, an Australian interpreter based in Beijing with over 20 years of experience interpreting for politics, business and culture, and Handewi Pramesti, a Jakarta-based translator who specializes in Indonesian to French translation.Also featured in this episode is Andrew Hsu, co-founder of the app Speak, an AI-powered language-learning app.Asia Specific brings you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the Asia Pacific region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between China and Donald Trump, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we unpack what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter. Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Get in touch: [email protected]

Singapore has escalated its concerns about Southeast Asia’s worst haze in more than a decade, demanding answers from ten Indonesian companies it suspects are linked to fires that cause it. The Singaporean government has sent notices that are seen as a shot across the bow, ordering the firms to fight the fires but not directly blaming them or punishing them with fines. It’s the latest chapter in a problem the region has failed to solve for decades. Fires in Indonesia for land clearing send smoke across international borders every dry season. Despite the country having strict laws to prevent widespread burning, the problem has accelerated this year due to an unusually long dry season. Peatland fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan have created hazardous air for communities living there. Schools have temporarily closed in Malaysia and Brunei. Indonesia was slow to accept offers of help from Malaysia and Singapore, and a government spokesman’s remark that neighbours should be grateful for the oxygen that Indonesian forests create outside of the haze season deepened the row.Singapore has a Transboundary Haze Pollution Act that allows for the government to target companies that cause haze, even though the fires are overseas. Yet to date, no companies have been punished.So what could work to prevent another prolonged haze season in future?On this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi is joined by Bloomberg Opinion columnist David Fickling and BBC World Service Jakarta-based journalist Astudestra Ajengrastri.Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVtGet in touch: [email protected]

Electric vehicles, online shopping, and more – China’s ability to scale up and lower costs for the masses has never been disputed. But does China truly create inventions, or does it excel at perfecting pre-existing ideas?Critics have long accused China of copying, stealing and scaling up innovations from the West or Japan in recent decades. But is this accusation true? Is the ability to scale and improve existing products part of the innovation process? And has China now created the ecosystem to facilitate more innovations of its own?In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to Kenneth Huang, professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management (ISEM) and Asia Specific journalist Derek Cai. Also in this episode, David Hsu, a professor at Wharton University of Pennsylvania, explains the separation between invention and innovation, and the benefit of scaling up.

Singapore’s prime minister Lawrence Wong will see his salary raised by about US$1.1m, bringing his annual remuneration to US$2.85m. The change is part of a broader pay increase for Singapore’s ministers - the first rise in 15 years. Singapore’s government has long viewed high salaries as a way to attract top talent and keep corruption at bay. Lawrence Wong has pledged to donate the increased pay to charity for the next five years, but critics on social media have still branded the move as "tone deaf” amid public concerns about job security and the rising cost of living. Wong is the highest paid political leader in the world, far surpassing the official salaries of major power leaders such as China’s Xi Jinping or the United States’ Donald Trump.So is Singapore’s rationale sound - that higher salaries attract better politicians? And how do you even measure "better" for a politician’s performance?On this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi is joined by BBC digital reporter Tessa Wong, Nicholas Dickinson from the University of Sheffield, and Kimberly McArthur, co-CEO of Better Politics Foundation.Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVtGet in touch: [email protected]