🇯🇵 Japan to support domestic AI development with 1 tril. yen funding
The Japanese government will provide roughly 1 trillion yen ($6.34 billion) in support over five years to help a planned new company develop home-grown artificial intelligence.
The company will be established by around 10 firms including SoftBank Group Corp., aiming to develop the country's largest base AI model through public-private cooperation.
Japan's move to develop its own AI comes as it hopes to compete with China and the United States, leading players in the field of this technology that can directly impact national security.
#Japan
@asianomics
The Japanese government will provide roughly 1 trillion yen ($6.34 billion) in support over five years to help a planned new company develop home-grown artificial intelligence.
The company will be established by around 10 firms including SoftBank Group Corp., aiming to develop the country's largest base AI model through public-private cooperation.
Japan's move to develop its own AI comes as it hopes to compete with China and the United States, leading players in the field of this technology that can directly impact national security.
#Japan
@asianomics
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🇮🇩 Questions raised over Indonesia’s plan to send peacekeepers to Gaza after recent floods at home
Recent devastating floods in Indonesia have cast fresh doubts over Jakarta’s plan to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza, even as the Indonesian military starts preparing for the deployment.
Deploying thousands of soldiers abroad while the country is still reeling from a disaster that has killed over a thousand people would paint President Prabowo Subianto’s administration as out of touch, analysts say.
Connie Rahakundini Bakrie, a military analyst, said the planned deployment would be ill-timed now. The Indonesian military should not look overseas while facing urgent priorities at home, she said, where the recovery effort required after the recent major flash floods will take years to complete.
In late November, devastating flash floods and landslides struck three Indonesian provinces – Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra – after record rainfall sparked by Cyclone Senyar.
#Indonesia
@asianomics
Recent devastating floods in Indonesia have cast fresh doubts over Jakarta’s plan to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza, even as the Indonesian military starts preparing for the deployment.
Deploying thousands of soldiers abroad while the country is still reeling from a disaster that has killed over a thousand people would paint President Prabowo Subianto’s administration as out of touch, analysts say.
Connie Rahakundini Bakrie, a military analyst, said the planned deployment would be ill-timed now. The Indonesian military should not look overseas while facing urgent priorities at home, she said, where the recovery effort required after the recent major flash floods will take years to complete.
In late November, devastating flash floods and landslides struck three Indonesian provinces – Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra – after record rainfall sparked by Cyclone Senyar.
#Indonesia
@asianomics
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🇨🇳🇺🇸 China says US seizure of ships ‘serious violation’ of international law
In a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said: “The US’s arbitrary seizure of other countries' vessels is a serious violation of international law,” adding that China “opposes illegal unilateral sanctions…without authorization from the UN Security Council.”
This came after the US intercepted a China-bound oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.
Venezuela has the right to develop relations with other countries, Lin Jian said at a news briefing, adding that China opposes all “unilateral and illegal” sanctions.
#China #USA
@asianomics
In a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said: “The US’s arbitrary seizure of other countries' vessels is a serious violation of international law,” adding that China “opposes illegal unilateral sanctions…without authorization from the UN Security Council.”
This came after the US intercepted a China-bound oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.
Venezuela has the right to develop relations with other countries, Lin Jian said at a news briefing, adding that China opposes all “unilateral and illegal” sanctions.
#China #USA
@asianomics
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🇨🇳🇯🇵🇹🇼 China protests Japanese official’s visit to Taiwan
China lodged a diplomatic complaint with Japan after a high-ranking official from Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) visited Taiwan.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te received LDP executive acting secretary general Koichi Hagiuda in Taipei, marking a rare high-level visit from Japan amid growing regional tensions.
Tokyo may respond diplomatically to China’s complaint, while further Taipei-Tokyo cooperation initiatives are likely to be explored, particularly in high-tech and strategic sectors.
#China #Japan #Taiwan
@asianomics
China lodged a diplomatic complaint with Japan after a high-ranking official from Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) visited Taiwan.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te received LDP executive acting secretary general Koichi Hagiuda in Taipei, marking a rare high-level visit from Japan amid growing regional tensions.
Tokyo may respond diplomatically to China’s complaint, while further Taipei-Tokyo cooperation initiatives are likely to be explored, particularly in high-tech and strategic sectors.
#China #Japan #Taiwan
@asianomics
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🇨🇳🇺🇸 China likely loaded more than 100 ICBMs in silo fields, Pentagon report says
China is likely to have loaded more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles across its latest three silo fields and has no desire for arms control talks, according to a draft Pentagon report which highlighted Beijing's growing military ambitions.
Last month, US President Donald Trump said that he may be working on a plan to denuclearize with China and Russia. But the draft Pentagon report said Beijing did not appear to be interested.
"We continue to see no appetite from Beijing for pursuing such measures or more comprehensive arms control discussions," the report said.
In particular, the report said that China had likely put in more than 100 solid-fuelled DF-31 ICBMs in silo fields close to China's border with Mongolia - the latest in a series of silo sites. The Pentagon had previously reported the existence of the fields but not the number of missiles loaded.
#China #USA
@asianomics
China is likely to have loaded more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles across its latest three silo fields and has no desire for arms control talks, according to a draft Pentagon report which highlighted Beijing's growing military ambitions.
Last month, US President Donald Trump said that he may be working on a plan to denuclearize with China and Russia. But the draft Pentagon report said Beijing did not appear to be interested.
"We continue to see no appetite from Beijing for pursuing such measures or more comprehensive arms control discussions," the report said.
In particular, the report said that China had likely put in more than 100 solid-fuelled DF-31 ICBMs in silo fields close to China's border with Mongolia - the latest in a series of silo sites. The Pentagon had previously reported the existence of the fields but not the number of missiles loaded.
#China #USA
@asianomics
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🇰🇵 North Korea’s Kim tours hot tubs, BBQ joints at mountain resort
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter opened a lavish new mountain resort complete with “cosy” leisure spaces, barbecue restaurants and hot tubs, state media reported.
The new facility in Samjiyon in the country’s mountainous north is an “attractive mountainous tourist resort and leisure ground for the people”, Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency said.
Among the facilities on show were both indoor and outdoor baths, as well as barbecue restaurants.
#NorthKorea
@asianomics
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter opened a lavish new mountain resort complete with “cosy” leisure spaces, barbecue restaurants and hot tubs, state media reported.
The new facility in Samjiyon in the country’s mountainous north is an “attractive mountainous tourist resort and leisure ground for the people”, Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency said.
Among the facilities on show were both indoor and outdoor baths, as well as barbecue restaurants.
#NorthKorea
@asianomics
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🇯🇵 Japan's FY 2026 defense budget at record 9 trillion yen
Japan's draft defense budget was set at a record 9.04 trillion yen ($58 billion) for fiscal 2026, the government said, as the country faces increasing security challenges from China and North Korea.
The figure, including outlays linked to hosting US military bases, eclipses the then record 8.7 trillion yen in the initial budget for the current fiscal year to March 2026.
Under the defense budget, 100.1 billion yen has been earmarked for building the "Shield" layered coastal defense system, which requires numerous aerial, surface and underwater vehicles.
With China in mind, 1.1 billion yen has been set aside to assess the use of long-endurance drones as a measure against airspace violations.
#Japan
@asianomics
Japan's draft defense budget was set at a record 9.04 trillion yen ($58 billion) for fiscal 2026, the government said, as the country faces increasing security challenges from China and North Korea.
The figure, including outlays linked to hosting US military bases, eclipses the then record 8.7 trillion yen in the initial budget for the current fiscal year to March 2026.
Under the defense budget, 100.1 billion yen has been earmarked for building the "Shield" layered coastal defense system, which requires numerous aerial, surface and underwater vehicles.
With China in mind, 1.1 billion yen has been set aside to assess the use of long-endurance drones as a measure against airspace violations.
#Japan
@asianomics
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🇹🇼 Taiwan opposition starts long shot bid to impeach President Lai
Taiwan’s opposition lawmakers started the process of impeaching President Lai Ching-te – a bid that will almost certainly fail given they lack the votes to go forward.
On Dec 26, legislators from the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People’s Party set the impeachment vote for May 19, 2026. The effort is very likely to stall out then because while the parties hold a majority of seats in Parliament, they lack the necessary two-thirds to proceed.
The opposition says it wants to impeach Lai because his government refused to implement an amendment it passed that would shift more fiscal revenue to city and county governments, many of which are controlled by the KMT.
#Taiwan
@asianomics
Taiwan’s opposition lawmakers started the process of impeaching President Lai Ching-te – a bid that will almost certainly fail given they lack the votes to go forward.
On Dec 26, legislators from the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People’s Party set the impeachment vote for May 19, 2026. The effort is very likely to stall out then because while the parties hold a majority of seats in Parliament, they lack the necessary two-thirds to proceed.
The opposition says it wants to impeach Lai because his government refused to implement an amendment it passed that would shift more fiscal revenue to city and county governments, many of which are controlled by the KMT.
#Taiwan
@asianomics
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🇨🇳 China taxes condoms, contraceptive drugs in bid to spur birth rate
China removed a three-decade-old tax exemption on contraceptive drugs and devices from Jan 1 in new steps to spur a flagging birth rate.
Condoms and contraceptive pills now incur value-added tax of 13%, the standard rate for most consumer goods.
China’s population fell for a third consecutive year in 2024, and experts have cautioned that the downturn will continue. China exempted childcare subsidies from personal income tax and rolled out an annual childcare subsidy in 2025, following a series of “fertility-friendly” measures in 2024.
#China
@asianomics
China removed a three-decade-old tax exemption on contraceptive drugs and devices from Jan 1 in new steps to spur a flagging birth rate.
Condoms and contraceptive pills now incur value-added tax of 13%, the standard rate for most consumer goods.
China’s population fell for a third consecutive year in 2024, and experts have cautioned that the downturn will continue. China exempted childcare subsidies from personal income tax and rolled out an annual childcare subsidy in 2025, following a series of “fertility-friendly” measures in 2024.
#China
@asianomics
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🇨🇳🇹🇼🇺🇸 China military drills near Taiwan ‘unnecessarily’ raise tensions: US
Chinese war games around Taiwan “unnecessarily” spiked tensions in the region, the US State Department said on Jan 1, calling on Beijing to “cease its military pressure”.
“China’s military activities and rhetoric towards Taiwan and others in the region increase tensions unnecessarily. We urge Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.
Beijing launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets, navy ships and coastguard vessels on Dec 29 and 30, 2025, to encircle Taiwan’s main island, saying the drills simulated a blockade of main Taiwanese ports.
#China #Taiwan #USA
@asianomics
Chinese war games around Taiwan “unnecessarily” spiked tensions in the region, the US State Department said on Jan 1, calling on Beijing to “cease its military pressure”.
“China’s military activities and rhetoric towards Taiwan and others in the region increase tensions unnecessarily. We urge Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and instead engage in meaningful dialogue,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.
Beijing launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets, navy ships and coastguard vessels on Dec 29 and 30, 2025, to encircle Taiwan’s main island, saying the drills simulated a blockade of main Taiwanese ports.
#China #Taiwan #USA
@asianomics
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🇨🇳🇰🇷 China’s Xi to host South Korea’s Lee in New Year amid Japan tensions
Chinese President Xi Jinping will host his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung on a state visit starting on Jan 4, signaling Beijing’s intent to strengthen ties with Seoul amid strained relations with Japan over Taiwan.
The visit marks the second meeting between Xi and Lee in just two months, an unusually short interval that signals China’s keen interest in reinforcing ties with Seoul and boosting economic collaboration and tourism.
Xi’s invitation to Lee for a state visit from Jan 4 is a calculated move aimed at deepening bilateral relations especially before the South Korean leader visits Japan.
#China #SouthKorea
@asianomics
Chinese President Xi Jinping will host his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung on a state visit starting on Jan 4, signaling Beijing’s intent to strengthen ties with Seoul amid strained relations with Japan over Taiwan.
The visit marks the second meeting between Xi and Lee in just two months, an unusually short interval that signals China’s keen interest in reinforcing ties with Seoul and boosting economic collaboration and tourism.
Xi’s invitation to Lee for a state visit from Jan 4 is a calculated move aimed at deepening bilateral relations especially before the South Korean leader visits Japan.
#China #SouthKorea
@asianomics
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🇰🇷🇰🇵 South Korea to probe drones North Korea says violated its airspace
South Korean authorities have launched an investigation focused on the possibility civilians may have flown drones that North Korea said violated its airspace, the Defense Ministry said on Jan 12.
President Lee Jae Myung has vowed a swift probe and said on Jan 10 if civilians had indeed operated the unmanned aircraft, it would be a “serious crime” that threatened South Korea’s security and peace on the Korean peninsula.
North Korea’s military on Jan 10 accused the South of “acts of provocation” by sending the drones, saying it had shot down the aircraft and disclosed what it said were pieces of the drones and aerial photos they took.
#SouthKorea #NorthKorea
@asianomics
South Korean authorities have launched an investigation focused on the possibility civilians may have flown drones that North Korea said violated its airspace, the Defense Ministry said on Jan 12.
President Lee Jae Myung has vowed a swift probe and said on Jan 10 if civilians had indeed operated the unmanned aircraft, it would be a “serious crime” that threatened South Korea’s security and peace on the Korean peninsula.
North Korea’s military on Jan 10 accused the South of “acts of provocation” by sending the drones, saying it had shot down the aircraft and disclosed what it said were pieces of the drones and aerial photos they took.
#SouthKorea #NorthKorea
@asianomics
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🇯🇵 Japan sets sail on rare earth hunt as China tightens supply
A Japanese mining ship departed on Monday for a remote coral atoll to probe mud rich in rare earths, part of Tokyo’s drive to curb its reliance on China for critical minerals as Beijing tightens supply.
The month-long mission of the test vessel Chikyu near Minamitori Island some 1,900 kilometers southeast of Tokyo, will mark the world’s first attempt to continuously lift rare earth seabed sludge from the deep onto a ship.
Japan has been reducing its dependence on China for the minerals vital to the production of cars, smartphones and military equipment, an effort that has taken on urgency amid a major diplomatic dispute with Beijing.
“If this project succeeds, it will be of great significance in diversifying Japan’s rare earth resource procurement,” the head of the government-backed project said, adding that recovering the key minerals from 6 km below sea level would be a major technological achievement.
#Japan
@asianomics
A Japanese mining ship departed on Monday for a remote coral atoll to probe mud rich in rare earths, part of Tokyo’s drive to curb its reliance on China for critical minerals as Beijing tightens supply.
The month-long mission of the test vessel Chikyu near Minamitori Island some 1,900 kilometers southeast of Tokyo, will mark the world’s first attempt to continuously lift rare earth seabed sludge from the deep onto a ship.
Japan has been reducing its dependence on China for the minerals vital to the production of cars, smartphones and military equipment, an effort that has taken on urgency amid a major diplomatic dispute with Beijing.
“If this project succeeds, it will be of great significance in diversifying Japan’s rare earth resource procurement,” the head of the government-backed project said, adding that recovering the key minerals from 6 km below sea level would be a major technological achievement.
#Japan
@asianomics
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🇵🇭 Philippine army colonel faces charges after anti-Marcos post goes viral
A Philippine army colonel relieved for his anti-Marcos stance has “voluntarily” returned to his unit and will face charges and psychiatric evaluation, according to his superior.
Audie Mongao was on Friday discharged from command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Training Support Group after he publicly withdrew support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in a social media post, saying “it’s too much, enough already”.
Since 1986, a Philippine military officer’s “withdrawal of support” has been synonymous with an attempt to unseat a sitting president in a coup.
Marcos’ father and namesake was overthrown in 1986 in a “People Power” uprising that grew out of an abortive coup bid against the dictator. Fifteen years later, then-president Joseph Estrada was forced out of office after a sudden withdrawal of support by the entire chain of command.
#ThePhilippines
@asianomics
A Philippine army colonel relieved for his anti-Marcos stance has “voluntarily” returned to his unit and will face charges and psychiatric evaluation, according to his superior.
Audie Mongao was on Friday discharged from command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Training Support Group after he publicly withdrew support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in a social media post, saying “it’s too much, enough already”.
Since 1986, a Philippine military officer’s “withdrawal of support” has been synonymous with an attempt to unseat a sitting president in a coup.
Marcos’ father and namesake was overthrown in 1986 in a “People Power” uprising that grew out of an abortive coup bid against the dictator. Fifteen years later, then-president Joseph Estrada was forced out of office after a sudden withdrawal of support by the entire chain of command.
#ThePhilippines
@asianomics
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🇯🇵 Speculation grows over Jan. dissolution of Japan's lower house
Speculation has emerged within the Japanese government that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may dissolve the House of Representatives at the outset of the ordinary parliamentary session scheduled to begin on Jan. 23.
Ruling Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi stressed that "it is a constant battlefield. It is fundamental to constantly hone ourselves so we are prepared whenever an election may come."
Some lawmakers within the LDP are calling for a dissolution while public approval ratings for the Takaichi Cabinet remain high at around 70% in media polls. If the lower chamber is dissolved, official campaigning for a general election may start on either Jan. 27 or Feb. 3, with voting set for Feb. 8 or Feb. 15, respectively.
#Japan
@asianomics
Speculation has emerged within the Japanese government that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may dissolve the House of Representatives at the outset of the ordinary parliamentary session scheduled to begin on Jan. 23.
Ruling Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi stressed that "it is a constant battlefield. It is fundamental to constantly hone ourselves so we are prepared whenever an election may come."
Some lawmakers within the LDP are calling for a dissolution while public approval ratings for the Takaichi Cabinet remain high at around 70% in media polls. If the lower chamber is dissolved, official campaigning for a general election may start on either Jan. 27 or Feb. 3, with voting set for Feb. 8 or Feb. 15, respectively.
#Japan
@asianomics
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🇲🇾🇮🇩 Malaysia and Indonesia blocked Musk’s Grok
Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries to block Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk's company xAI, as concerns grow among global authorities that it is being misused to generate sexually explicit and nonconsensual images.
Regulators in the two Southeast Asian nations said existing controls weren't preventing the creation and spread of fake pornographic content, particularly involving women and minors. Indonesia’s government temporarily blocked access to Grok on Saturday, followed by Malaysia on Sunday.
Initial findings showed Grok lacks effective safeguards to stop users from creating and distributing pornographic content based on real photos of Indonesian residents, Alexander Sabar, director-general of digital space supervision, said in a statement.
#Malaysia #Indonesia
@asianomics
Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries to block Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk's company xAI, as concerns grow among global authorities that it is being misused to generate sexually explicit and nonconsensual images.
Regulators in the two Southeast Asian nations said existing controls weren't preventing the creation and spread of fake pornographic content, particularly involving women and minors. Indonesia’s government temporarily blocked access to Grok on Saturday, followed by Malaysia on Sunday.
Initial findings showed Grok lacks effective safeguards to stop users from creating and distributing pornographic content based on real photos of Indonesian residents, Alexander Sabar, director-general of digital space supervision, said in a statement.
#Malaysia #Indonesia
@asianomics
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🇺🇸🇹🇼 US, Taiwan near deal to lower tariffs, boost TSMC investment
The US and Taiwan have reached a broad consensus on their trade deal and further details would be announced after a final wrap-up meeting, Taiwanese Executive Yuan’s Office of Trade Negotiations said.
There were also reports that the two nations are nearing a trade deal to reduce Taiwan’s tariff rate to 15% and commit Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) to building at least five more facilities in the US.
The reduced tariff rate is in line with those applied to Japan and South Korea, which struck trade deals last year, it said. The timeline for TSMC’s further investment in the US remains unclear.
#USA #Taiwan
@asianomics
The US and Taiwan have reached a broad consensus on their trade deal and further details would be announced after a final wrap-up meeting, Taiwanese Executive Yuan’s Office of Trade Negotiations said.
There were also reports that the two nations are nearing a trade deal to reduce Taiwan’s tariff rate to 15% and commit Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) to building at least five more facilities in the US.
The reduced tariff rate is in line with those applied to Japan and South Korea, which struck trade deals last year, it said. The timeline for TSMC’s further investment in the US remains unclear.
#USA #Taiwan
@asianomics
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