Asia Minute

As you’ve been hearing on NPR this today, the annual APEC leaders’ meeting is now underway in Vietnam. APEC stands for “Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation,” and the gathering is familiar to residents of Honolulu—which hosted the event in 2011. But this year, it’s a new experience for a very old city. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

You hear the term “Asia Pacific” here on Hawaii Public Radio a lot. It’s the term most journalists and scholars use to describe our part of the world, and it’s in the name of the organization whose conference President Trump will attend later this week in Vietnam. But as he tours the region, the President has been using a different term – “the Indo-Pacific.” And, as we hear from Neal Conan in today’s Pacific News Minute, it’s meant to convey a message.

North Korea is a critical topic during President Trump’s current travels in Asia. But there is another side to the military situation in the region that is also getting attention: U.S. arms sales. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

President Trump continues his Asian travels today, with China as his latest stop. While North Korea has been drawing much of the attention on this current trip, business issues are not far below the surface. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Medical tourism is a booming business across Asia. When it comes to cosmetic plastic surgery, South Korea is a particularly popular destination. But some plans to expand that practice are coming under fire. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

This is a national day of mourning in Thailand. It is part of a stretch of five days of ceremonies marking the funeral of Thailand’s king—who died a year ago. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Voters in Australia are surprising a lot of so-called “political experts.” Over the past several weeks, a voluntary nationwide ballot has been underway on legalizing same sex marriage. And it’s already produced some unexpected results. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The Prime Minister of Singapore is in the United States this week. He was at the White House yesterday announcing a multi-billion dollar purchase of Boeing airplanes by Singapore Airlines. On the same day, an announcement back home put a different focus on cars. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

New Zealand will officially get a new prime minister this week—some four weeks after a national election. It took that long to sort out the coalition politics. And when the new leader takes office later this week, she will be the country’s youngest prime minister in more than 150 years. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

North Korea’s pattern of missile launches and nuclear tests has led to many consequences. Those range from various sanctions to adjustments in military planning. But there’s been another unexpected reaction. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

As many residents of Hawai‘i know from Chinese New Year celebrations, a long night of fireworks can lead to smoky skies. That’s especially true if there’s no wind. And that’s of particular concern this week in India—which celebrates an important holiday today. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Utility companies around the world are trying to manage a transition to more use of renewable energy. But they are moving at different speeds, and sometimes with different goals. Under a law passed a couple of years ago, the state of Hawai‘i is committed to 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2045. In Australia, the policy debate has taken a different turn. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

As the technology economy advances around the world, so does demand for technical skills. And some countries are going to great lengths to fill that demand. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

A scandal involving one of the biggest names in corporate Japan continues to grow. The incident involves Kobe Steel, and hundreds of its corporate clients. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Food is a critical part of daily life for everybody. But when it comes to high end restaurants, one of the most powerful influences is the ratings system of the Michelin Guide. Hawai‘i restaurants are not rated by Michelin, but it’s an important designation for many establishments across Asia. And sometimes it produces surprises. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

It’s been several years since smoking was banned on beaches across Hawai‘i. Now, a popular tourist destination in Asia is trying a similar approach on a number of beaches—but with very different penalties. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The International Monetary Fund has updated its outlook for the world economy – with a more optimistic tone. Part of that is due to expectations of stronger growth in the Asia Pacific. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

More than 6,200 electric vehicles are now registered in the state of Hawai‘i—up from about 4,000 in early 2016. That’s according to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which tracks the numbers.  While the use of electric cars is growing in the Aloha State, a different kind of alternative energy vehicle is in focus this week down under. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

In less than two weeks, Japanese voters will go to the polls in national elections. While Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to extend his term, the plans of the opposition are less clear. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

China is increasing its weapons shipments to countries in Southeast Asia. Most of the dealings involve sales, but other developments are less straightforward. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

One of the leading tourist destinations in the world has been disrupted in recent weeks by the threat of a volcanic eruption. The volcano is on the north side of Bali, but the impact has been felt across the island. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

As you’ve been hearing on NPR today, President Trump traveled to Las Vegas today—a day after going to Puerto Rico. His visits to those two places of recent human tragedy have dominated the news this week. But another presidential event that received very little attention was historic in a different way. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains in today’s Asia Minute.

This is an unusual week for Asia—it includes major holidays for at least two countries. China and South Korea have several consecutive holidays this week, and that means a lot of vacation air travel. And that highlights some research now underway in Japan. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The United States and North Korea are now in touch about possible diplomatic moves to resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula. That word came over the weekend from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is traveling in the region. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The White House announced today that Donald Trump will make his first visit to Hawai‘i as President in November. It’s part of the president’s first official trip to the Asia Pacific. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The United Nations General Assembly in New York has captured a lot of media attention over the last week or so. But on the other side of the world, a different meeting of international leaders last week quietly produced a number of developments. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

It’s been a week with a focus on visitors as the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority wrapped up its Global Tourism Summit. One visitor market that state officials hope to cultivate is South Korea. It’s a country that’s seeing a rise in international travel with a special week of holidays coming up. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

When it comes to international visitors, Japan has long been the top market for Hawai‘i. And while this year continues to break records for tourism in Hawai‘i, it’s also an active year for tourism in Japan. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

When you use the phrase “energy crisis,” those old enough to remember might think back to the 1970’s and the Arab oil embargo. But this week in New Zealand, there’s a different kind of energy crisis—at the country’s largest airport. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

As you’ve heard on NPR, President Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly today. The rest of the week will include speeches from various other world leaders, and many meetings. The event includes a large contingent from Asia, but with some notable absences this year. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.