ASEAN News

Netflix continues to solidify its commitment to Southeast Asian storytelling with the announcement of a high-octane ASEAN crime drama. This is a grandiose project, situated against the sheer and rough scenery of not only Malaysia but also the Philippines, in an attempt to bind the region stories to the global audience. The series is based upon a multi-national syndicate and …

On January 26, 2026, at the Nustar Hotel in Cebu City, Philippines, the 63 rd ASEAN National Tourism Organizations Meeting was inaugurated, bringing together senior officials of all 11 member countries of ASEAN, not to mention dialogue partners. Hosted amid Philippines’ ASEAN 2026 Chairmanship, it assesses programs for future-ready tourism: sustainability, digital innovation, and community benefits under “Navigating Our Future …

Japan’s Mirumi bot, a furry robotic bag charm from Yukai Engineering, has stormed social media as 2026’s breakout fashion trend. The gadget is based on a sloth bear and is tilted with its head, nods at a pat, and reacts to touch, released on January 21, 2025, debuting at CES 2025, and launched on Kickstarter. It can also be clipped …

Bohol is in the process of preparing to host serious ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) conferences beginning January 26, 2026, in Panglao, the Philippines launch as 2026 ASEAN Chair. Senior economic officials from 10 member states, plus Timor-Leste observers, will convene for the 57th ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM 1/57) and 18th AEC Committee of the Whole, discussing Priority Economic …

Global financial services giant Macquarie has found Malaysia as the best destination in Southeast Asian investment strategies, thus making it their top destination in the region in the years to come. This positive pricing puts the country in a better position over the old movers and shakers and this is an indication of a strong reversal of investor confidence. The …

The political scene in Japan is filled with speculations as the new political outfit of Sanae Takaichi is practically ready to take place. The veteran conservative is making a bold gamble with talk about an early vote in February, one of which could open the door for her to the Prime Minister’s office and seal Japan’s future with all its …

At the start of the ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting, there were solid demands to increase regional digital collaboration as leaders of the ASEAN bloc convened to mould the next stage of digitalization of the bloc. At the opening ceremony, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn emphasized that ASEAN needed to leave behind the fundamental infrastructures and embark on intelligent connectivity …

The Vietnam–Japan trade relationship has crossed a fresh line, with Vietnam Japan $50 billion trade turnover recorded for the first time. The bilateral trade milestone signals stronger factory linkages, steady demand in key sectors, and tighter commercial planning between the two economies. Some exporters call it overdue. Others call it a hard-earned number. Understanding the Vietnam: Japan Trade Milestone Vietnam …

ASEAN sits on shipping lanes that connect East Asia, South Asia, and Europe, so trade routes keep circling back to the region to a key factor shaping the ASEAN Economic Outlook 2026. Ports, industrial parks, and cross-border trucking networks have expanded across the last decade, and capacity now looks less fragile than it used to. And supply chain managers like …

The ASEAN Economic Outlook 2026 is defined by steady growth potential alongside uneven risks across trade, inflation, and geopolitics, even as ASEAN’s 4.5% growth slowdown reflects short-term pressures across select markets. ASEAN economies continue to benefit from young demographics, expanding consumer markets, and supply-chain diversification as companies look beyond single-country manufacturing hubs. At the same time, external demand shifts, currency …