Economy

Aung San Suu Kyi's fervid supporters show a clear contrast from the cool attitude of western media and human rights organizations. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters)
Asia Insight

Suu Kyi's Myanmar election win fails to excite foreign investors

Overseas companies put off by red tape, poor infrastructure and plight of Rohingya

24 November 2020
The government has eased work-at-home orders for Yangon in the run-up to the November election. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
Myanmar election

Myanmar's Suu Kyi projects 'pro-economy image' before election

Ruling NLD gradually eases restrictions on movement as COVID-19 battle continues

29 October 2020
Workers gather around the Indian Navy's first Scorpene submarine as it leaves a shipyard Mumbai in 2015. India is beefing up its defense industry, both for its own military and for exports.
International relations

With an eye on China, India gifts submarine to Myanmar

New Delhi's naval diplomacy expected to aid its broader Indo-Pacific vision

22 October 2020
A supporter of the NLD, pictured on Oct. 2 in Yangon: the last thing Myanmar needs is business as usual.
20 October 2020
Police officers enforce a movement control order at a roadblock on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 14.
Economy

Southeast Asia teeters on deeper GDP downturn as lockdowns return

Malaysia and Myanmar restrict travel, while Thailand finds containment doesn't revive growth

16 October 2020
Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's state counsellor, is once again making peace overtures toward some of the country's disaffected insurgent minorities.  
Politics

Suu Kyi revisits Panglong peace initiative ahead of election

Country is no closer to peace than 2016 when talks resumed

19 August 2020
A police officer explains about seized illegal drugs during a destruction ceremony  outside Yangon on June 26.
Opinion

Southeast Asia must unite to tackle its drug problem

Seizures will not end the trade, no matter how large

16 August 2020
A casino is seen near the Thai border in Myawaddy, Karen State in Myanmar. 
Belt and Road

Myanmar to probe casinos in China-backed developer's 'rogue city'

$15bn planned community accused of flouting government rules

12 August 2020
Aung San Suu Kyi announced Wednesday the creation of a new special economic zone in Mon State. 
Economy

Suu Kyi courts Japan investment with new economic zone

Myanmar hopes for repeat of successful Thilawa project

29 July 2020
Rescuers work at the site of landslide in Hpakant on July 2: devastating tragedy was likely avoidable.
Opinion

Myanmar jade mine disaster highlights government inaction

Nearly 200 people died when a mountain of waste collapse in heavy rains

14 July 2020
A decommissioned train at Naypyitaw Station. (Peter Janssen)
Life

Green light for Southeast Asia's old railways

Renovating existing tracks is quicker and cheaper than building high-speed lines

22 June 2020
A wooden boat carries suspected Rohingya migrants detained in Malaysian territorial waters off the island of Langkawi on Apr. 5: their ordeal has lasted months and shows no sign of ending.
Opinion

COVID-19 is no excuse for rejecting Rohingya migrants

Asia must use the Bali Process to treat those fleeing on boats humanely

20 June 2020
A prehistoric insect fossilized in amber maintains its shape. (Courtesy of the Myanmar Amber Museum)
Southeast Asia

Myanmar amber traps scientists in ethical dilemma over funding war

Fossils like those in 'Jurassic Park' draw scrutiny as Kachin conflict drags on

8 June 2020
Suu Kyi opened the new Facebook account on April 1 and has posted messages about COVID-19 almost every day. (Nikkei photo illustration/Source photo by Getty Images)
Asia Insight

Suu Kyi's Facebook surge reveals fragility of Myanmar democracy

Ruling party primed for election but cannot rely on leader's charisma forever

26 May 2020
Construction on a high-speed railway between Jakarta and Bandung has ground to a halt due to coronavirus-related restrictions.
Belt and Road

Southeast Asia rail projects stall as China focuses on recovery

Belt and Road construction takes a back seat amid coronavirus rebuild

5 May 2020
People sleep on benches at Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok on Apr. 3: the urban poor are at risk, living in overcrowded spaces.
Opinion

Governments facing tough choices in COVID-19 crisis: World Bank VP

Countries in East Asia and Pacific must expand effective programs for poverty relief

27 April 2020
Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi faces election in November.
Politics

Suu Kyi bets on coronavirus stimulus with little room for error

In election year, a fifth of Myanmar's garment industry is at a standstill

13 April 2020
New rules permit foreign residents and nonresidents to open accounts at domestic brokerages, through which participants invest. (Photo by Yuichi NItta)
Markets

Myanmar's stock market cracks open door to foreigners

Lower barriers and more listings key to drawing overseas investors

24 March 2020
Britain plans to establish a new presence in Asia, where it used to have significant influence, following its exit from the European Union.
Comment

ASEAN in position to make strategic gains from Brexit

UK looks to Indo-Pacific region in redrawing of its foreign policy agenda

23 February 2020
Hun Sen is adamant that Cambodia is not going to bow to European demands. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Opinion

Punishing Cambodia is going to backfire on EU

Removing tariff-free access will drive Phnom Penh toward Beijing's orbit

14 February 2020
A nurse checks the temperature of a visitor as part of the coronavirus screening procedure at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 5.
Coronavirus

Coronavirus exposes Southeast Asia's public health shortfalls

Experts say health infrastructure remains 'systematically underfinanced'

13 February 2020
The Westerdam cruise ship anchored near Sihanoukville port in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia, on Feb. 13. It had been denied permission to dock at five ports before Cambodia agreed to accept it. 
Coronavirus

Westerdam finally arrives in Cambodia after 5 ports refused

Prime Minister Hun Sen says decision is "humanitarian"

13 February 2020
Women work on a  production line at a shoe factory in Kampong Speu, Cambodia.
Trade

Cambodia loses EU tariff privileges on $1bn worth of trade

Southeast Asian nation's top trading partner cites human rights violations

13 February 2020
Foreign students in Japan are allowed to work in unskilled-labor positions, such as convenience store work, for up to 28 hours per week. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) 
Japan immigration

Japan intensifies crackdown on student visa overstayers

Number of countries subject to stricter checks to increase tenfold

11 February 2020
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's human rights record has been criticized by the European Union, which is set to announce its decision Wednesday on removing trade privileges on some Cambodian exports. (Nikkei montage/Reuters)
Trade

EU to end privileges on some Cambodia exports: lawmaker

Decision due Wednesday could hurt nation's $9.5bn apparel sector

9 February 2020