All Asia Pacific
Iran war reaches into Asia鈥檚 farmlands 鈥� and everyone鈥檚 grocery billsIt鈥檚 planting season for farmers in Southeast Asia. The global fertilizer shortage could not have come at a worse time. Later, U.S. consumers will feel the impact, too.
The ExplainerAs Japan shifts away from postwar pacifism, Takaichi eyes constitutional reformConstitutional reform is something Japan鈥檚 ruling party has long debated, but never been able to accomplish. Now, the country鈥檚 prime minister is using her popularity to push the matter forward.- For many Taiwanese, an opposition leader鈥檚 rare trip to China hit the wrong notesTaiwan鈥檚 opposition leader has returned from a trip to the Chinese mainland, where she pushed for cross-strait dialogue. But her diplomatic efforts could backfire on the democratic island, where a sense of local identity is growing.
China, a leader in renewables, was prepared for a global fuel crisisThe conflict could be a boon for China鈥檚 new energy sector, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, and batteries.
In Trump era, China sees an opportunity to advance its long gameTrump policies 鈥� including the trade war resulting from U.S. tariffs 鈥� have been a gift for Beijing, which aims to become the preeminent global power.
As oil prices surge, Filipinos feel the impact of a distant conflictWith global oil and gas prices skyrocketing, the Philippines has declared a national energy emergency. People across the country are feeling the impact.聽
What鈥檚 behind the global push to ban social media for kidsIt started in Australia. Now dozens of countries are working on laws to keep younger kids away from social media. But do they really work?
Why Beijing 鈥� a self-proclaimed friend of Tehran 鈥� has stayed quiet on the war frontChina has long been Iran鈥檚 lifeline, but its聽muted response to the war highlights Beijing鈥檚 pragmatic, self-interested approach to foreign relations.
Japan emerges from high-stakes US meeting 鈥榰nscathed鈥� 鈥� but its China woes remainAlthough Japan鈥檚 prime minister navigated a high-stakes meeting in Washington this week, concerns remain about the reliability of the U.S. partnership long term.
Asian countries call for belt-tightening as war closes critical oil shipping routesThe vast majority of the oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz was Asia-bound. Now, countries there are forced to make do with what they have, highlighting the cost of fossil fuel dependence.
15 years after Fukushima disaster, Japan is warming up to nuclear powerAfter Fukushima, Japan shut down its nuclear reactors.聽Now, the country is returning to nuclear energy, seen as a reliable low-carbon option.聽 聽聽
As US and Russia unbind from nuclear treaty, China鈥檚 arsenal has been growingChina is engaged in a huge nuclear weapons expansion, growing the size and capabilities of its arsenal. At a time when the will to curb nuclear proliferation is waning, this could unleash a new wave of nuclear arms competition.
First LookJapanese prime minister鈥檚 party wins supermajority in snap electionJapanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi鈥檚 governing party has secured a two-thirds supermajority in a key parliamentary election, according to preliminary results on Sunday.
Why Japan鈥檚 prime minister is gambling with snap electionsPrime Minister Takaichi Sanae has broken through her country鈥檚 political malaise with a bold vision for a more assertive Japan. Her party is expected to sweep in snap elections this weekend.
The toppling of General Zhang is 鈥榓 Shakespearean moment鈥� for ChinaFor years, China has been working to tackle widespread corruption within its massive army. But with the toppling of a popular general and former ally, Chinese leader Xi Jinping may be sacrificing military readiness to bolster his own power.
A decade after lifting one-child policy, China struggles to boost populationDespite Beijing鈥檚 campaign to encourage couples to have more children, new data shows China鈥檚 population decline is accelerating.
As China鈥檚 retirement age rises, 鈥榩erceptions of unfairness鈥� growTo support its rapidly aging population and preserve its pension system, China is raising its retirement age for the first time in 70 years. At the same time, demand for broader pension reform is growing.
In 2025, China proved its innovation prowess. But are some workers getting left behind?Traveling across China this year, the Monitor鈥檚 Beijing Bureau Chief found optimism, nimbleness, and resilience 鈥� even in the face of U.S. sanctions and slowing economic growth.
Australia was a haven for generations of Jews. Now, they wonder about the future.The Bondi Beach massacre has shattered the sense of security held by Australian Jews, generations of whom found a warm haven far from the horrors of Europe.聽Some now hope Australians see that antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem.
Among palm trees and luxury malls, China launches an ambitious experimentA large tropical island off China鈥檚 southern coast will gain independent customs status on Dec. 18 鈥� a move Chinese leaders hope will jump-start development in Hainan and pioneer new levels of openness for the rest of the country, despite the rise of protectionism.
