Asia Minute

We’re about a month away from President Trump’s scheduled meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. While residents in South Korea are closely watching developments, a survey shows they also have some surprising attitudes when it comes to their neighbors to the north. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Tax cuts for corporations and some individuals — and a slower pace on renewable energy. It’s not the Trump Administration agenda; it’s some of the news from the budget proposed by the government of Australia. But there’s also a debate about a figure who is well known in Hawai‘i. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains in today’s Asia Minute.

It’s official: President Trump will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in about four and a half weeks, on June 12th. The meeting will be held in Singapore. But why that location? HPR’s Bill Dorman has some thoughts in today’s Asia Minute.

It’s been two weeks since the Philippines government closed one of its most popular tourist destinations. The reason was to clean up pollution — and despite the lack of visitors, the island is very busy. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

This is election day in Malaysia. The Prime Minister is facing one of the biggest challenges of his political career, while voters go to the polls for national and state elections. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Several top officials in the Trump Administration will be heading to China next week to talk about trade. The group will be led by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and will include the head of the National Economic Council, Larry Kudlow, as well as the U.S. Trade Representative. While no breakthroughs are expected, some of the challenges are clear. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

A diplomatic dispute between the Philippines and Kuwait has escalated to another level this week. It’s a case that focuses on the treatment of foreign workers in the Persian Gulf nation. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

President Trump is not the only world leader dealing with a changing cabinet. The leader of Singapore has announced a series of moves of that are drawing attention from outside the country. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The leaders of North and South Korea are scheduled to meet this Friday at the Demilitarized Zone on the border between the two countries. Both countries are scrambling with last minute preparations this week—but in different ways. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Pedestrian safety is a concern for anyone who lives in a city. In Honolulu, it’s been about six months since a law took effect banning texting in crosswalks. The city also has periodic crackdowns on jaywalking. But in China, several cities are trying some new methods to deal with this old problem. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

A project deadline for a major urban rail project has been delayed—again. But this has nothing to do with Honolulu’s rail. This construction would connect two major urban centers in Southeast Asia. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The top career official in Japan’s Ministry of Finance has resigned over allegations of sexual harassment. But the official is still contending that he has done nothing wrong. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

China is starting to crack open its market a little further to foreign automakers. The Beijing government announced this week that it will phase out requirements for outside companies to have local partners. But undoing some of those long-standing agreements may not make immediate business sense for the foreign companies. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains in today’s Asia Minute.

Investigators in Singapore have uncovered what they call a “highly sophisticated” cheating scandal involving standardized school tests. The case involves allegations of a network of organizers and half a dozen clients. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

President Trump is considering re-engaging with what was once called the Trans Pacific Partnership. But that process may not be a simple one. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The western side of the Big Island of Hawai‘i is getting some extra attention this week at an unlikely location. Kona is making headlines in South Korea—but not for reasons you might expect. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The Trump Administration has proposed a number of policy changes when it comes to offshore leases for oil and gas exploration and drilling. This week, New Zealand announced that it is taking a dramatically different approach to the same issue. HPR’s Bill Dorman has details in today’s Asia Minute.

Election Day is approaching in a country where the leader is lashing out against what he calls “fake news.” He’s also calling to make his country “great.” The themes may sound familiar, but the country is far from U.S. shores. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

One of the most popular island destinations in Asia is closing its beaches. And its airports. The plan is to shut down the island to visitors for six months, and it’s already causing disruptions not only on the island but also thousands of miles away. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Hawai‘i’s state legislature is in recess today, but a number of bills will be returning for consideration and discussion later this week. One issue that is NOT going anywhere this session is casino gambling. But on that topic, it’s a very different story in Japan. HPR’s Bill Dorman has it in today’s Asia Minute.

It’s a city on the water, where tourism plays an important role and housing costs have spiraled beyond affordability for many residents. But government officials are floating new ideas to deal with the housing crisis. The city is not Honolulu, but Hong Kong. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The way people get around in Southeast Asia is about to change. Not for everyone, but for those who have become used to using an app to get a ride. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

This week marks the beginning of a new fiscal year for some companies. It’s also the first week that the United States is accepting applications for the next round of H-1B immigrant visas. Those are working visas for high-skilled professionals, and this year the process is coming under increased scrutiny. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The United States and China are continuing their trade dispute by exchanging threats and specifics on tariffs. China says it will raise tariffs on a variety of U.S. products, including pork. The Trump Administration is expected to release further details on its plans later this week. But so far one export has not been mentioned—and it doesn’t fit on a container ship. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The number of foreign residents living in Japan has hit a new record. More than 2.5 million foreigners live in Japan, and the fastest-growing part of that population may surprise you. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Major League Baseball is underway with a new season, but another game with bats and balls has captured attention around the Asia-Pacific. A cricket scandal involving Australia’s national team is the topic of news and social media from Sydney to New Delhi. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

As you’ve heard on NPR over the last couple of days, the United States and South Korea this week agreed on a new trade deal. It’s a revised version of the U.S. Korea Free Trade Agreement. But despite that arrangement, a major American company may be pulling out of the country. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

State tourism officials expect 2018 to be another record year for visitors to Hawai‘i. And while there’s a growing global market for travel and hospitality, parts of Southeast Asia are going in another direction: restricting tourism. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

This is a busy period for many of the world’s major religions. Over the next few weeks, there are observances for Muslims and Hindus, while Friday is Passover for those of the Jewish faith and for Christians, next Sunday is Easter. That is particularly significant in the Philippines, where according to the national census more than 80-percent of the population is Roman Catholic. It’s also delicate timing for a continuing political debate in that country. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

President Trump’s recent talk about trade tariffs has focused on China. But another trade dispute looks like it will take a toll on a country very important to Hawaii. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.