Thousands of people in Bangladesh are protesting safety conditions for garment workers in the country. More than 200 people were killed this week when a clothing factory collapsed in the nation’s capital. The protestors’ targets include some western stores. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Hawaii’s legislature passed a budget this week, but federal lawmakers are still arguing about finances—and that’s likely to continue through this summer. Discussions of U.S. government finances often include the fact that the Chinese government holds a lot of U.S. debt. Now Australia is planning to buy some of China's debt. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

With news events elsewhere developing rapidly over the past week, North Korea has been pushed off the front pages of many of the world’s newspapers. But it may not stay that way. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association expects another year of growth for car sales in Hawaii—forecasting a rise of 6.5% from last year. Last month, attendance was up at the auto show in Honolulu. This week, a much bigger auto show is taking place in Shanghai. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

As Hawaii’s legislative session approaches its end, the thoughts of some are turning to politics and elections. In Japan, the next election will operate under new rules: allowing the use of the internet. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.