Asia Specific
by BBC World Service
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 podcast episodes twice a week. Get in touch: [email protected]
Episodes
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Is elective surgery the answer to height dysphoria in Asia?
Would you allow doctors to break your bones so you can grow a few centimetres taller? Orthopaedic surgeons say more people are considering it, despite lengthy recovery times and the risk of serious complications. The procedure – called limb lengthening surgery – isn’t new. The technique was...
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Bonus: Hong Kong protest leader’s 10-year jail sentence
The most prominent young face of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, Joshua Wong, has been sentenced to ten years in jail for colluding with foreign forces. Wong, now 30, pleaded guilty in one of the most closely-watched cases under a security law that Beijing imposed on the city in 2020. The ten...
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Can smart glasses exam cheating be stopped?
A series of cases involving exam cheating with AI glasses in South Korea has universities and schools scrambling to rein in the use of the technology. As South Korea’s most important academic exam, the Suneung approaches, schools are testing new methods to detect and ban smart glasses in exam...
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Why Kylian Mbappé’s comment sparked anger in China
Kylian Mbappé has scored an own goal in China with an indirect joking reference to national political hero Mao Zedong as a “dictator”. So will a flurry of apologies from him, his club and the Spanish La Liga league be enough to defuse a costly backlash in China? In a video that went viral, the…
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Why Japan ranks so low for gender equality?
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…
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Will AI wipe out interpreters?
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...
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The Asean diplomacy behind the Indonesian haze
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...
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Does China copy or create?
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...
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Should we pay political leaders more?
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...
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Inside Japan’s fury with the US
There have been fresh protests in Japan against the longstanding presence of US military forces, after a 20-year-old American military serviceman was arrested by Japanese police over a suspected murder of a woman. US Marine Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard, accused of killing a 39-year-old...
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Why Malaysia is repatriating thousands of Burmese migrants
Malaysia has begun sending migrants from Myanmar home, with the first group of almost 1,500 people arriving in southern Yangon in early October. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says in total, 5,000 people will be sent home, and he describes the repatriations as ‘voluntary’, a claim human...
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Why Vietnam’s coffee beans might outlast others
Written off as the inferior bean, robusta coffee might have the last laugh as climate change makes arabica harder to grow. While rising heat pushes prized arabica-growing regions to their limits, robusta, the stronger but less fruitier-tasting bean, can handle the temperatures arabica can't....
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Could dual citizenship stop Indonesia’s brain drain?
Indonesia is considering allowing dual citizenship for a limited group of highly skilled Indonesians living abroad, including scientists, engineers, doctors and AI researchers. The proposal is aimed at encouraging Indonesians who have built careers overseas to maintain a connection with the…
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Bonus: Catching My Teacher
They were taught to obey. But they learnt to resist, turning detective. Students from a network of Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia hear about allegations of a dark secret at the heart of the powerful institution that shaped their lives. They set out to seek the truth - not knowing what it...
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Why China’s Gen Z is turning to spirituality
China’s young people are turning to temples, fortune-telling, tarot, and spiritual products, not necessarily because they’ve found religion, but because they’re looking for something to hold onto in uncertain times. They’re worried about jobs, incomes, and the future, and many are seeking luck,...
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We need to talk about AI
There’s been a litany of warnings about AI and its potential dangers. A top safety researcher at Anthropic, one of the biggest AI companies in the US, warned the technology is advancing at a pace so fast that there’s a 10% chance it “could kill all humans” within the next decade. Such concerns…
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An awkward accident shines a spotlight on Hyrox
Top Australian Hyrox athlete Joanna Wietrzyk has apologised after soiling herself during a race in Beijing, saying she would withdraw from the event and forfeit the points she earned. The company behind the fitness phenomenon has also apologised for allowing her to continue and win, amid…
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Inside Australia's plan to beat the algorithm
Australia was the first country in the world to ban social media for under-16s. Now, it's taking aim at something even bigger: the algorithms that keep everyone hooked. Under a new "My Feed, My Way" proposal, tech companies could be forced to let users switch off the personalised recommendation...
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Why are Australia’s native animals going extinct?
Australia is home to some of the world's most distinctive wildlife — nearly 90% of its mammals exist nowhere else on Earth. But Australia is also where a mammal extinction is happening at an alarming pace. Species are disappearing at a rate of roughly four every decade, driven by feral predators,...
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Can Indonesia stop SE Asia’s annual smoke haze?
Haze wafting across borders in South East Asia is an annual problem, so why can’t the countries responsible stop it happening? The haze is primarily caused by farmers and landowners slashing and burning plots of land - a relatively cheap and fast way of preparing a field for crops. This year,...
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Is Hong Kong cinema’s golden age over?
From Jackie Chan and Wong Kar-wai to the city’s gritty crime thrillers and romantic dramas, there was a time when Hong Kong cinema was everywhere. The city was once one of Asia’s great filmmaking capitals, producing movies and stars that became cultural icons around the world. But today, that...
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The AI data centre boom in South East Asia
The AI boom means data centres are being built at an unprecedented pace around the world and in South East Asia, Malaysia has emerged as one of the biggest hubs for this expansion. But the rapid construction growth for data centres is also prompting a backlash. Data centres can consume enormous...
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What if leaving your bedroom felt impossible?
Across Asia, a growing number of young people are becoming hikikomori, a term used to describe people who suffer from a severe social withdrawal. They shut themselves in their homes, retreating from work, school, or their families for months, sometimes years. That condition was first observed in...
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Bonus: What caused Nepal’s deadly flash floods?
Frantic search efforts are underway in Nepal and the Tibetan side of the Chinese border after a devastating flash flood and landslide swept through a valley. Thousands of rescue personnel have been deployed as crews search through thick mud and debris for survivors, with hundreds of people...
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Why are lab monkeys so expensive?
Seen as pests in some parts of Asia, long-tailed macaques are highly sought-after in the world of biopharmaceutical research for drug development. But now a worldwide shortage means one monkey can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, so what’s driving up the cost? China’s fast-developing...
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The fight to define ‘Asian pop’ at the Grammys
The Grammys created a new category for Asian pop music, but BTS have decided to withdraw from the awards in 2027. The group says music should be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language. The Recording Academy, organisers of the Grammy Awards, said the…
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Why North East Asia is wary of immigration
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is tightening visa and residency rules for foreigners amid growing concerns about the pace of immigration in recent years. But Japan’s overall population continues to shrink alongside neighbouring China and South Korea, raising a question: Why don’t these...
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The politics around China’s own ‘manosphere’
China has a growing “manosphere”. But it isn't a copy of the one in the West. So what's fuelling the anger among many young Chinese men? There are no Andrew Tate-style influencers leading a movement. Instead, frustration is spread across online communities where some young men vent about dating…
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Why Thailand welcoming Myanmar’s leader caused anger
Myanmar’s military-backed government is seeking legitimacy from its neighbours, more than five years after troops overthrew a democratically-elected government and triggered a bloody civil war. So does this mean the imprisoned former leader and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi will be released?...
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Are the glory days of cheap flights in Asia over?
If you’ve ever booked a flight across Asia for less than US$100, you might have asked the question many travellers are now wondering: was that a temporary golden age, or can cheap travel make a comeback? Asia used to be the home of ultra-cheap flights, but many travellers say those days are…
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Bonus: Why does Trump care about the Japanese yen?
In a highly unusual move, the US has stepped in to back Japan's currency, the yen. Donald Trump calls it a "signal of friendship" but what is Washington hoping to achieve? And what does the move reveal about Japan's economy, after years of deflation and ultra-low interest rates? In this special...
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Can China deal with a huge graduate glut?
A record 12.7 million university students in China are about to enter the workforce, putting an already strained job market under unprecedented pressure. China’s youth unemployment rate has been relatively high, hovering around 15%, but the growing challenge of AI has some analysts forecasting a...
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What is behind Vietnam’s counterfeit crackdown?
The worldwide counterfeit and pirated goods industry is estimated to be worth almost half-a-trillion US dollars, and Vietnam is one of the most significant players in the illicit trade. But now the country’s government is seeking to change that. In May 2026, Vietnam was named by the US government...
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Why people in China aren’t spending
China is famous for making products the world wants to buy, but inside the country, consumers are spending far less than the government would like. A property slump, high youth unemployment and weak confidence have left many households choosing to save instead of spend, making it harder for China...
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Why more countries are favouring China over the US
For the first time in 20 years, a major global survey conducted between February and May of 2026 has found that more countries favour China over the US. The Pew Research Center, a non-partisan, US-based think tank, found that China’s global image is eclipsing that of the US, with 25 out of 36...
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China's humanoid robot boom
Humanoid robots are suddenly everywhere - dancing, boxing, running marathons and even attempting surgery. China is leading the charge, producing the vast majority of the world's humanoid robots. But beyond the viral videos, are these machines actually useful? Why has China emerged as the global...
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Inside a major baby trafficking trial in Indonesia
Multiple families in Singapore are facing an unimaginable possibility that the children they legally adopted from Indonesia may have been victims of an alleged baby trafficking network. A major trial is underway in Indonesia involving 19 defendants accused of buying babies, forging documents, and...
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Why armed men killed a US pilot in Indonesia
On July 2, separatist rebels released a video saying that they had shot dead a US pilot and set his plane on fire in Indonesia's far eastern Papua region. The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) said they killed 29-year-old Nicholas F Gosselin after he landed in the Highland Papua…
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Why can’t Japan have a female emperor?
The Japanese imperial family is running out of members — with only 16 royals remaining, questions are growing about the future of the world's oldest hereditary monarchy. So what is the Japanese government's plan to safeguard the imperial line, and why is it proving so controversial? Japan is…
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Thailand’s sex worker legal limbo
The murder of a 17-year-old girl in the coastal city of Pattaya, allegedly by a 45-year-old Australian man has sparked a discussion about whether legalising sex work in Thailand could make it safer. Tunchanok Donhomla’s body was found stuffed in a suitcase in late June near a railway track. The…
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Are microdramas the future of entertainment?
If you’re on TikTok, Instagram or Facebook, chances are you’ve come across microdramas: 30 to 90-second videos with over-the-top and emotional plots. Every episode ends on a cliffhanger. It’s easy to get addicted. Microdramas first started in China around 2018, and in 2024 the microdrama industry...
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Why cancer patients are travelling to China
Cancer patients are increasingly travelling to China for CAR-T therapy. How did China become a leader in cancer treatment and could it become a major medical tourism destination?
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What makes a Pokemon card worth millions?
This year Youtuber Logan Paul sold the world’s rarest Pokemon card for a record-breaking 16 million USD. He isn’t the only one selling Pokemon cards for huge sums. Cards from the 30-year-old Japanese game and animation franchise have become one of the most sought-after items for collectors, with...
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Is North Korea getting richer?
North Korea and Russia are about to open their first road bridge connection, deepening a partnership that has rapidly expanded since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The growing relationship is helping fuel one of the most surprising stories in Asia today: North Korea's economy appears to be...
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Will Japan turn away from pacifism?
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says she wants a vote on amending Japan's constitution, reviving a debate that could reshape the country's Self-Defence Forces, its alliance with the US, and relations across Asia. Japan's post-war constitution has remained unchanged since it came into force...
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Asia’s affordable housing problem
Australia's government is winding back tax incentives for property investors in a bid to make housing more affordable - but will it work? From Sydney to Seoul, Bangkok to Beijing, housing affordability has become one of the biggest economic and political issues facing young people across Asia...
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Could changing the way we date solve Asia's low fertility rates?
A slight uptick in South Korea’s notoriously low fertility rate in the last two years has begged the question - are government policies to encourage dating, marriage and babies working? It’s a question governments across Asia are asking, a region where fertility rates are at very low levels,...
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Could an Asian team win the World Cup?
There are more Asian teams competing in this year's FIFA World Cup than ever before, but can any of them win? With the tournament expanding to 48 teams, Asia has nine nations plus New Zealand from the Oceania confederation competing for the prize across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Many, like…
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Bonus: Xi Jinping's North Korea visit
Having welcomed Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to Beijing, China's leader is making his first overseas trip of this year to North Korea. It's Xi Jinping's first visit to Pyongyang in seven years, and he's visiting a nation bolstered by an increasingly close relationship with Russia, which has…
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Thailand’s tourism challenge
Thailand has cut the visa-free stay time for tourists, but will it boost numbers for an industry which is a lifeblood of the economy? Tourist numbers have fallen and have never gone back to the same level as before the Covid pandemic. While the government has been trying to shore up tourist...
About this show
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 podcast episodes twice a week.
Get in touch: [email protected]
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BBC World Service
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