ARTICLES

18 Oct 2023

The Courteous Charmer: A Hard Look at Japan’s Soft Power in Southeast Asia

Indira Zahra Aridati

Indira Zahra Aridati examines the rise of Japanese soft power across Southeast Asia and its many facets.

13 Oct 2023

Is Laos Able to Make a Difference in the Myanmar Crisis?

Joanne Lin

Joanne Lin looks at the crisis in Myanmar and recommends possible strategies for Laos to move the needle on the issue, ahead of its ASEAN Chairmanship next year.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Laos Myanmar

12 Oct 2023

The Rise of the Live Music Industry in Southeast Asia

Neo Hui Yun Rebecca

Neo Hui Yun Rebecca analyses the rising demand for live music shows in Southeast Asia and how regional countries can tap into this opportunity.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Regional Cooperation Tourism

11 Oct 2023

India’s Expanding Global Influence Has Limited Reach in ASEAN

Hoang Thi Ha|Eugene R.L. Tan

India is seizing strategic opportunities to emerge as a new global power but its influence in Southeast Asia is not keenly felt yet.

ASEAN ASEAN-India Relations India

10 Oct 2023

Southeast Asia’s Need to Bridge the Climate Financing Gap

Vinod Thomas

As COP 28 approaches, Southeast Asia policymakers see the need for climate adaptation as well as mitigation. But there is an urgent need to encourage multiple sources of finance in this arena.

ASEAN Climate Change

6 Oct 2023

A New Chapter in ASEAN-Japan Relations

Kunihiko Hirabayashi

ASEANFocus is privileged to feature the Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre, Dr Kunihiko Hirabayashi. He provides a perspective on the ASEAN-Japan relationship after 50 years, and how Japan intends to substantiate the new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Japan

5 Oct 2023

Changing Political Landscapes and Leadership Transitions in Southeast Asia

Electoral politics have been heating up in Southeast Asia after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippines and Malaysia elected new leaders in 2022. Vietnam underwent a major leadership change after President Nguyen Xuan Phuc tendered his resignation. Voters in Thailand and Cambodia, headed to the ballot box to elect their representatives, while Singapore voted for a new president this year. 2024 will be a fascinating year for Indonesia as the largest democracy in the region will hold its presidential election. ASEANFocus invites experts to assess the changing political landscape and leadership transitions in Southeast Asia, and its implications for society and regional stability.

ASEAN ASEANFocus

29 Sep 2023

Rise of Unicorns in Southeast Asia

Tham Siew Yean

Tham Siew Yean examines the state of startup developments across Southeast Asia, delving deeper into the success of unicorns in Singapore and the newest unicorn hub of Indonesia.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Economic Development Technology

27 Sep 2023

ASEAN in the Global Semiconductor Race

Lili Yan Ing|Ivana Markus

Lili Yan Ing and Ivana Markus take stock of the current state of the global semiconductor race between China and the United States, and how the ASEAN region should navigate the growing rivalry.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Supply Chains Technology

21 Sep 2023

Advancing the Digital Health Ecosystem in Southeast Asia

Katrina Navallo|Keith Detros

Katrina Navallo and Keith Detros highlight the importance of infrastructure, trust, and innovation to foster a thriving digital health ecosystem in Southeast Asia.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Digitalisation Health