ASEAN News

Japan is set to introduce a new visa system for digital nomads, or remote workers who travel and work online, in March 2024. The visa will allow digital nomads to stay in Japan for up to six months, without having to obtain a work visa or a sponsor. The visa will also enable them to bring their spouse and children …

Satoshi Kirishima was one of Japan’s most-wanted fugitives, who had been on the run for nearly half a century. He was a member of the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front, a radical left-wing terrorist group that carried out a series of bombings against Japanese corporations in the 1970s, killing and injuring hundreds of people. He was wanted for his involvement …

South Korea is scheduled to hold its 21st legislative elections on April 15, 2024, which will determine the composition of the 300-member National Assembly for the next four years. The elections are seen as a crucial test for the ruling Democratic Party and its leader, President Moon Jae-in, who will face his final year in office in 2025. The elections …

Sending money to North Korea is a risky and illegal activity that many defectors and their families in South Korea engage in, despite the harsh penalties and consequences that they may face.  Sending money to North Korea involves a complex and covert network of brokers, couriers, and smugglers, who operate across the borders of China, North Korea, and South Korea. …

The political feud between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former President Rodrigo Duterte has reached a new level of hostility, as they have been calling each other “drug lords” and accusing each other of being involved in the illegal drug trade. The exchange of insults and allegations has exposed the deep rift and animosity between the two leaders, who …

Japan has a long history of participating in international beauty pageants, but it has also faced controversies over the racial and ethnic identity of its representatives.  In recent years, some of the winners of Miss Japan have been bi-racial or naturalized citizens, sparking debates on what it means to be Japanese. However, in 2024, Japan has chosen a beauty queen …

Japan is known for its aging population, shrinking workforce, and strict immigration policies. But in recent years, the country has been opening its doors to more overseas workers, especially from Southeast Asia. As of October 2023, there were more than 2 million foreign workers in Japan, a record high and a 13.6% increase from the previous year. The New Visa …

Fried toothpicks are the latest craze among Korean netizens, who are posting videos of themselves eating the crunchy snacks on social media. The trend started as a challenge to see who can eat the most fried toothpicks without hurting their mouths or teeth. The challenge is inspired by a popular Korean street food called tteokbokki, which are spicy rice cakes …

Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are expected to sign a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2024, after completing most of the negotiations.  The CEPA will be a milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries, which have seen significant growth in trade and investment in recent years. The CEPA will also bring mutual …

North Korea, one of the most isolated and repressive countries in the world, has imposed harsh punishments on its citizens who watch or distribute South Korean shows, which are banned by the regime.  A rare video footage, obtained by a South Korean research group, shows two teenage boys being sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for watching K-dramas, or …