Politics

Japan's former Prime Minister Taro Aso speaks during the Ketagalan Forum in Taipei on Aug. 8. 
Taiwan tensions

In Taiwan, Aso says Japan must show 'will to fight' to deter China

Former prime minister meets with presidential front-runner William Lai

8 August 2023
 The Indonesian International Motor Show in 2018: The country's main trade group will hold the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show starting Aug. 10
Your Week in Asia

Indonesia auto show, Cambodia PM transition, Taiwan's Lai visits U.S.

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

6 August 2023
U.S. Marines during their joint exercise with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in Eniwa, Japan, in August 2017.
Indo-Pacific

U.S. weighs new military element in Japan for closer coordination

Japan's bold defense reform, Taiwan crisis require enhanced operational arrangement

5 August 2023
Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso. Exchanges between political parties serve as a route for communication between Japan and Taiwan. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
International relations

Japan ex-PM Taro Aso to go to Taiwan, speak on security at forum

Will be ruling party's first vice president to visit since diplomatic ties cut in 1972

4 August 2023
Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force: Over the past year, the number of Chinese military planes flying around Taiwan has sharply increased.
Taiwan tensions

China's military speeds preparations to blockade Taiwan

Move has been gathering steam since Pelosi's 2022 visit to island

1 August 2023
AMD Chair and CEO Lisa Su says the semiconductor market for accelerating capabilities of data centers will grow around 50% over the next three or four years. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Semiconductors

AMD will consider 'other' partner foundries to TSMC: CEO

U.S. chipmaker is open to diversifying foundries amid Taiwan risks

21 July 2023
A cafe, transformed from an old military fort, is seen in Nangan, Matsu archipelago, Taiwan. Even the shelves of convenience stores on this Taiwan-administered island near mainland China carry political overtones. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) 
China up close

Analysis: On Taiwan's remote islands, Lithuanian beer is the star

Convenience store shelves reflect the geopolitical tensions with China

20 July 2023
Lai Wei-hsin, speaking at a Jakarta restaurant, heads the Indonesia chapter of the Trust Lai Taiwan Friendship Association (Photo by Randy Mulyanto)
Politics

Taiwan presidential hopefuls woo Southeast Asian diaspora

Front-runner Lai has set up support bases across region as China influence dims

16 July 2023
Eric Huang, head of the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania, speaks to Nikkei Asia in his office in Vilnius on July 11. (Photo by Ken Moriyasu)
Interview

Fight China's economic force with strength: Taiwan rep to Lithuania

Beijing will not respond to humble requests, warns Eric Huang

14 July 2023
Kenneth Weinstein was previously nominated as the U.S. ambassador to Japan under the Trump administration. (Photo courtesy of Hudson Institute)
Interview

Hudson Institute's new Japan chair urges cooperation with U.S., Taiwan

Kenneth Weinstein wants Tokyo to become 'America's closest ally'

13 July 2023
Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je has ridden voter frustration with the two-party system to the top of the polls. (Photo obtained by Nikkei)
Taiwan elections

Taiwan People's Party takes early role of spoiler ahead of vote

Third party leads polls with presidential and Legislative Yuan elections six months away

12 July 2023
Popular Netflix series "Wave Makers" brilliantly evokes both the intensity of Taiwanese politics and the difficulties faced by party staffers -- especially women battling to resist and expose an institutional gender bias among party leaders. (Courtesy of Damou Entertainment)
Arts

Hit Netflix political drama makes waves in Taiwan

Show's focus on sexual harassment sparks surge of #MeToo claims

9 July 2023
Lithuanian Army soldiers hold Lithuanian and NATO flags during the celebration of the 15th anniversary of Lithuania's membership in NATO in Vilnius, Lithuania on March 30, 2019.
Indo-Pacific

Lithuania slams China in new Indo-Pacific strategy

Baltic country mentions Taiwan 16 times, noting that status quo is a 'red line'

7 July 2023
The Chinese city of Xiamen and the Taiwan-administered Kinmen Island likely started making an impact on Xi Jinping in 1985.
China up close

Analysis: For 17 years, Xi closely watched Taiwan-governed islets

Is economic engagement still part of the leader's strategy?

6 July 2023
China and South Korea have begun taking steps to improve bilateral ties. 
6 July 2023
Taiwanese Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan. left, shakes hands with Toshimitsu Motegi, the secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in Tokyo on June 28.
International relations

Taiwan's vice premier visits Japan in historic high-level exchange

Semiconductors, shared values discussed in first visit in 29 years

29 June 2023
Sexual harassment claims have been leveled against senior Taiwanese politicians and other public figures ahead of national elections. (Source photos by Getty and AP)
Society

Taiwan rocked by #MeToo scandals ahead of national elections

Sexual harassment claims test island democracy's progressive credentials

28 June 2023
A Russian flag flies on board a ship during a rehearsal for the Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg, Russia.
International relations

Russian warships sail in waters just off Taiwan

Rare move comes as regional tensions already run high

28 June 2023
Taiwania Capital has $200 million to invest in Central and Eastern European companies.
International relations

Taiwan-backed fund invests in Central, Eastern Europe as ties warm

Taiwania bets on biotech and health, sees role in Ukraine reconstruction

24 June 2023
Guatemalan presidential candidate Edmond Mulet says he has no plans to switch the country's diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. (Photo by Kosuke Shimizu)
International relations

Guatemalan presidential hopeful Mulet vows to retain Taiwan ties

Center-right party candidate says ties with Taipei will help U.S. diplomacy

23 June 2023
Chinese warship Luyang III sails near the U.S. destroyer USS Chung-Hoon in the Taiwan Strait on June 3. (U.S. Navy handout via Reuters)
Taiwan tensions

China's economic slowdown makes Taiwan crisis more likely: report

U.S. think tank calls for clarity on Japan, Philippines assistance for island defense

20 June 2023
Taiwanese Digital Affairs Minister Audrey Tang is on a rare high-level ministerial trip to Britain.
International relations

Taiwan digital czar meets with British ministers on rare U.K. trip

Audrey Tang attends London Tech Week as two sides seek cooperation

17 June 2023
A former Marine, Mike Gallagher serves as chair of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.
Interview

Taiwan crisis could erupt before 2027, U.S. lawmaker warns

Reengaging with Beijing is 'dangerous': China panel chair Mike Gallagher

16 June 2023
Ko Wen-je founded the Taiwan People’s Party in 2019 while he was Taipei mayor. (Photo by Yu Nakamura) 
Taiwan elections

Taiwan political upstart tops main opposition party in poll

Kuomintang, which had ruled island for decades, slides to 3rd place

16 June 2023
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. says one of the biggest threats to his country is rising sea levels caused by climate change (Photo by Kohei Fujimura) 
Interview

Palau leader calls on U.S. for help over Chinese ships in its waters

Pacific island nation's president says he won't cut Taiwan ties despite tensions

15 June 2023