China’s revised Foreign Trade Law to spur high-level opening-up
The updated provisions will also help foster a more enabling climate for mutually beneficial global cooperation and advance an open world economy, experts say.
Policy Matters
Tokyo Metropolitan Government to set up system for certifying high-quality data centres in effort to appeal to local communities
With the development of high-speed data communication and generative artificial intelligence, more data centres are being built across Japan. However, there have been increasing…
China to apply lower import tariff rates to unleash market potential
In a statement, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, China's Cabinet, said the provisional import tariffs will be applied as part of an annual tariff adjustment…
Profound budget policy changes failed to lift Indonesia’s growth in 2025
The first full year under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto was marked by pronounced changes in budget allocations and a shift toward pro-growth fiscal policy, but amid…
Indonesian government grants Christmas remissions to over 16,000 prisoners, including graft convicts
Of those receiving remissions, 174 inmates were released immediately, while 15,904 others saw their sentences shortened, including high-profile corruption convicts businessman…
Bangladesh’s potato paradox: Just another curry on the rice plate? This will not solve the price problem
Unlike many other countries, Bangladesh largely views the crop as just another vegetable eaten with rice, not as a basic industrial raw material.
Indonesia to start restricting children’s social media access in 2026
Aimed at protecting children from online harm, the Child Protection in Digital Space Regulation will require all electronic system providers, including social media, online…
Nearly 80% of South Korea’s dog meat farms shut ahead of 2027 ban
Officials attribute the acceleration in closures to growing public support for the ban, financial incentives for early shutdowns and active encouragement from local governments.
Plastic waste piles up as Vietnam struggles to curb a culture of convenience
The Southeast Asian nation produces nearly two million tonnes of plastic waste each year, most of it unrecycled.
Japanese intelligence agency to screen foreign investments, as government looks to emulate U.S.
The aim is to prevent technologies and information held by Japanese companies from being leaked overseas.