ASEAN – From the streets of Tokyo to the highest levels of government, Japan applauded Drive My Car’s Oscar success, hoping that it would raise the popularity of Haruki Murakami, the perennial Nobel Prize nominee who wrote the narrative that the film was based on. The three-hour drama, directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi and premised on a short story by Murakami, …

ASEAN – A massive magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Fukushima late yesterday, killing two people and injuring 94 others, and bringing back memories of a devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the same area little over a decade ago. According to the authorities, there were several reports of fire. Two verified fatalities and 94 injuries, including four …

Malaysia – The Malaysian men’s team topped Group B and qualified for the semi-finals of the Badminton Asia Squad Championships (BATC) 2022 with a 3-2 victory against a second-string Japanese team. Malaysia, the 2020 runners-up, will face South Korea in the men’s semi-finals, while defending champions Indonesia will face Singapore. Malaysia will square off against defending runners-up South Korea in …

Japan – Japan’s ambassador to Indonesia has urged Jakarta to lift its recent coal export restriction, which he claims has had a “significant effect” on the world’s third-largest economy. Indonesia exports almost three-quarters of its coal production, with the primary customers being Asia’s economic powerhouses China, Japan, South Korea, and India. However, on January 1, it barred coal exports, citing …

Japan – As the New Year’s festivities begin,  Japan prepared for a predicted resurgence in coronavirus infections as roads and airports were clogged with travelers. As additional cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 emerged, including a possible cluster at an Osaka nursing home, the governors of Tokyo and Osaka recommended citizens to keep end-of-year parties limited. Travelers should take …

ASEAN – Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Friday that Asia-Pacific nations should increase their healthcare capacity and completely vaccinate their citizens in order to prepare for a spike in Covid-19 infections caused by the Omicron variant, which has been identified in the region. Scientists are still collecting data to determine how infectious Omicron is, as well …

Japan – Princess Mako of Japan married her university boyfriend on Tuesday, foregoing her title in a marriage devoid of customary pomp and circumstance, with the pair allegedly considering relocating to the United States. When a member of the imperial family marries a commoner, she cannot attain the Chrysanthemum Throne and loses her royal position. Mako, Emperor Naruhito’s 30-year-old niece, …

Malaysia – The young Malaysian badminton team lost 1-3 to Japan in the semi-finals of the Sudirman Cup 2021 in Vantaa, Finland. Japan had already beaten Malaysia 4-1 in the last Group D match. Despite beating arch-rivals Indonesia in the quarterfinals, Malaysia failed to break a 16-year skid against Japan. Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, the national men’s doubles team and …

Malaysia – Eighteen years later, Malaysia’s national shuttlers remain winless against Japan, falling 4-1 to the team from the Land of the Rising Sun at the mixed team Sudirman Cup competition in Vantaa, Finland. Malaysia, who previously defeated Japan 3-2 in the group stage of the 2003 tournament in the Netherlands, finished second in Group D, while Japan finished first. …

Indonesia and Japan’s collaboration as essential accomplices will proceed notwithstanding the worldwide danger presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has said. “I accept our participation worth will increment, driven by the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership,” he expressed at an online occasion coordinated by the Indonesia-Japan Business Network (IJBNET). …