Japan’s successful offer of state-of-the-art warships to Australia will be a "model" case for future exports, senior defense officials say, as Tokyo eyes Southeast Asian nations as possible destinations. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/17/japan/japan-mogami-defense-exports-southeast-asia/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #japanaustraliarelations #defense #defenseministry #southeastasia #indopacific #australia

One of Myanmar's most conflict-ravaged regions has witnessed a "dramatic rise in hunger" after U.S. aid cuts pushed by President Donald Trump during a punishing civil war, the World Food Program said Tuesday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/13/asia-pacific/myanmar-hunger-aid-cutbacks/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #myanmar #hunger #southeastasia

Indonesia has created more than 20 regional commands in its biggest armed forces overhaul in decades, coinciding with a sharp increase in defense spending under President Prabowo Subianto, a former general. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/12/asia-pacific/politics/indonesia-military-defense-budget/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #indonesia #prabowosubianto #southeastasia #defense

A real estate company in Vietnam and its partners are offering just $3,200 and rice provisions in return for farmers giving up their land to make way for a Trump family-backed golf resort. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/11/asia-pacific/vietnam-farmers-trump-golf-club/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #us #donaldtrump #trade #tariffs #golf #vietnam #southeastasia

Three Thai soldiers were injured by a land mine on Saturday while patrolling a border area near Cambodia, days after the two neighbors agreed to a detailed ceasefire. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/09/asia-pacific/thailand-soldiers-land-mine-cambodia/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #cambodia #thailand #southeastasia #landmines

Myint Swe, Myanmar’s acting president and a former general sanctioned by the U.S. for his role in a 2021 coup, died at the age of 74 from Parkinson’s disease and related neurological disorders. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/07/asia-pacific/politics/myanmar-myint-swe-dies-74/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #myanmar #southeastasia

The Philippines may temporarily suspend rice imports to support local farmers in the world’s biggest buyer, potentially increasing the risk of expanding a global surplus. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/08/04/rice-importer-philippines-farmers/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #philippines #rice #agriculture #trade #southeastasia

Dai-ichi Life is considering mergers and acquisitions in Southeast Asia as part of its plan to expand overseas, eyeing a growing but increasingly crowded market. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/08/01/companies/dai-ichi-life-ma-southeast-asia/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #companies #daiichilife #mergers #acquisitions #lifeinsurance #southeastasia

Myanmar's junta has ended the country's state of emergency after 4½ years as it ramps up plans for a December election that monitors say will be used to consolidate the military's power. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/31/asia-pacific/politics/myanmar-end-state-of-emergency/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #myanmar #southeastasia #aungsansuukyi #minaunghlaing

When weeks of tensions escalated into a major border conflict with Thailand last week, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appeared to take charge of his country's response. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/31/asia-pacific/politics/cambodia-hun-sen-border-thailand/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #hunsen #cambodia #thailand #southeastasia

Fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border came to a halt after military commanders from both countries met to enforce a ceasefire agreement reached on Monday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/30/asia-pacific/politics/thailand-cambodia-truce-challenges/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #thailand #cambodia #southeastasia

Thailand's captive lion population has exploded in recent years, with nearly 500 registered in zoos, breeding farms, petting cafes and homes in the country where ownership of the big cat is legal. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/29/asia-pacific/society/thailand-pet-lion-problem/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #society #lions #thailand #pets #animalwelfare #southeastasia

Thailand's army accused Cambodia of violating an hours-old truce, saying clashes continued despite a deal meant to end the fighting that has engulfed their shared border. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/29/asia-pacific/thai-army-cambodia-break-truce/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #thailand #cambodia #southeastasia

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has heard proposals that would alter U.S. policy toward Myanmar, with the aim of diverting its vast supplies of rare earth minerals away from strategic rival China. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/29/world/politics/trump-myanmar-rare-earths/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #worldnews #politics #myanmar #southeastasia #rareearths #us #donaldtrump #trade

A ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand came into effect at midnight hours after both sides agreed to halt their deadliest conflict in more than a decade. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/29/asia-pacific/politics/ceasefire-thailand-cambodia/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #thailand #cambodia #china #us #southeastasia

Thousands of Malaysians rallied in the nation’s capital over the weekend demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over alleged unfulfilled promises and recent controversies. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/28/asia-pacific/politics/malaysia-pm-anwar-resign/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #anwaribrahim #malaysia #southeastasia