The Philippines is reopening Boracay island, one of its main tourist attractions, to more visitors starting Oct. 1 as it banks on locals to revive its pandemic-hit tourism sector. ( read original story ...)
Nearly 36,000 Japan firms shut down business due to COVID-19 – think tank
Nearly 36,000 Japanese companies have chosen to discontinue their business so far this year, mainly due to the hit from the coronavirus crisis and up sharply from a year ago in a sign of the pain the ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s hafu stars are celebrated. But some mixed-race people say they feel like foreigners in their own country
Many Japanese people rose up in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, but experts argue Japan needs to address issues of discrimination and diversity closer to home. ( read original story ...)
No plans for phone call between Japan’s Suga, Taiwan’s Tsai – Japan spokesman
There are no plans for a telephone call between Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, Japan's top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato told reporters on ... ( read original story ...)
Japan May Ease Virus Entry Restrictions Next Month: Reports
Japan is considering easing strict coronavirus border restrictions from October to allow more foreign nationals to enter, local media reported Wednesday. Tourists would still be banned and only longer ... ( read original story ...)
Japan PM Suga says to compile basic policy on new digital agency by year-end
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Wednesday he wanted to compile a basic policy on a new digital agency by the end of this year and submit necessary bills to next year's ordinary session ... ( read original story ...)
2 Sentenced to Hang for Deadly Garment Factory Fire in Pakistan
The country’s worst industrial fire killed more than 260 people in 2012. Victims’ relatives said the real culprits had escaped justice. ( read original story ...)
Indonesia starts developing controversial food estate project
Indonesia has started developing a food estate to grow rice, corn and other crops that should eventually span the archipelago and aims to curb reliance on food imports in the world's fourth most ... ( read original story ...)
Death Toll In India Building Collapse Jumps To 39
The death toll from an apartment block collapse in western India jumped to 39 Wednesday, officials said, as hopes of finding anyone else alive dimmed. Emergency workers from the National Disaster ... ( read original story ...)
Asia Today: India adds 87K cases, New Zealand easing rules
India recorded nearly 87,000 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours as it edged closer to the United States in having the most reported cases in the world. The Health Ministry also Monday ... ( read original story ...)