Access Asia

Police in Australia are investigating a trip made by the suspects of the Bondi Beach anti-Semitic terrorist attack to the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, just weeks before they shot and killed 15 people and wounded dozens more. The region has long grappled with Islamist militancy, but President Marcos's government has fired back at reports suggesting the country was a training hotspot for terrorists.

It's a story of art, rivalry and bloodlines. Japan's megahit and Oscar hopeful "Kokuho" is coming to the French box office at Christmas. It follows the life of a man born the son of a yakuza boss who goes on to become a "living national treasure" in the hereditary world of kabuki, a centuries-old stage art performed only by men. Ahead of its French release, FRANCE 24's Yuka Royer sits down with director Sang-il Lee. 

The Indian government has scrapped an order which gave manufacturers 90 days to pre-install a state-backed security app on all new smartphones. The move came following a huge public outcry and resistance from tech firms. Yuka Royer speaks with Nikhil Pahwa, a digital policy analyst in New Delhi, about what the app – which is still available albeit no longer mandatory – is intended for and why there was so much concern about what it could potentially do.  

People in Hong Kong are searching for answers after the worst fire there in decades. The blaze that ripped through seven high-rise apartment blocks took more than 24 hours to bring under control, and put the spotlight on the continued use of bamboo scaffolding in the city.  

We analyse the renewed tensions between China and Japan, who have been locked in an escalating diplomatic row. The spat was set off by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's suggestion earlier this month that Japan could respond militarily in the scenario that China attacks Taiwan. The dispute has led Beijing to cancel Japan-bound flights, suspend concerts and ban imports of Japanese seafood.

When she was elected head of Japan's ruling party, Sanae Takaichi declared that she had abandoned the term "work-life balance" and asked fellow party members to "work like a horse". A month into office, the country's first female prime minister appears to have put her words into action. She told parliament that she was only sleeping two to four hours at night, a few days after organising a 3am staff meeting. In a country plagued by a culture of overwork, this hasn't gone down well. 

Zohran Mamdani celebrated his Indian roots during his campaign for mayor of New York City. After winning the race, the 34-year-old's victory was celebrated by Indians online – but officials in New Delhi have remained tight-lipped. In this edition of Access Asia, we find out why. Plus, Indian engineering students put their US ambitions on hold as new H-1B visa rules kick in.

Recently back from military service, BTS's leader RM made history by becoming the first K-pop idol to give a keynote address at an APEC CEO summit in South Korea, calling on global leaders to support culture and embrace diversity. Coming four years after the band were invited to speak at the UN General Assembly, it was the latest display of Seoul's soft-power diplomacy, capitalising on K-pop's phenomenal global success. 

On the show this week, we explore where things stand between the US and India, as reports emerge that the two sides are nearing a trade agreement. We ask our expert whether trust can be restored with Washington, and examine what lies ahead for relations with Moscow as Russian crude imports may soon dry up. We also look at where Japan is headed as its first female prime minister takes office. Plus, sumo wrestlers return to London for the second time — and become an instant hit.

In a remarkable turnaround in bilateral relations, India has extended a warm welcome to the Taliban's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his week-long trip. The first visit in years by a senior Taliban official sparked controversy, including the exclusion of female journalists from a press conference which he later reorganised. Yuka Royer speaks with Subir Sinha, director of SOAS's South Asia Institute, about the significance of this visit and its regional implications. 

On the show this week, we ask what message Kim Jong-un is trying to send to the West, and the US in particular, as he marks 80 years since the founding of the North Korean Workers' Party. We also explore how India's stance in the Middle East has shifted, as it tilts closer to Israel. Plus, an HPV vaccine drive faces road bumps in Pakistan over claims of misinformation.

Chinese lawmakers are reviewing a new law that tells parents to teach their children to love the Communist Party and criminalises any activity deemed to be damaging "ethnic unity". Yuka Royer speaks with Human Rights Watch's Asia director, who says the bill is a part of a broader effort under President Xi Jinping to try to erase individual ethnic and cultural identities, and that if passed, it would entrench repression of minorities and expand Beijing's ideological control beyond its borders. 

Is India being forced to reconsider its relationship with the United States? In Access Asia, we explore how the aftershocks of the US's new H-1B visa policy are being felt in New Delhi. We also bring you the latest on Indonesia making overtures towards Israel after recognising Palestine back in 1988. Plus, we tell you why the Disney+ K-drama "Tempest" is stirring up a storm in China.

"Evil Unbound", a new film depicting the horrors of the Imperial Japanese Army's Unit 731 and its germ warfare programme, has hit cinemas across China and beyond. As the latest in a wave of patriotic films to find success at home, it sheds light on one of WWII's darkest chapters – Unit 731, the covert military unit that conducted inhumane human experiments during the war. We take a deep dive into the historical reality behind the film, featuring testimonies from former Unit 731 members – never before seen in Europe – and expert insight from Dr. Andres Rodriguez of the University of Sydney.

More than 300 South Koreans detained in the US after a massive immigration raid on a Hyundai-LG factory have returned home, despite the Trump administration's offer to let them stay. As he marked 100 days since he took over a country in crisis, President Lee Jae Myung warned that the incident could make companies hesitate to invest in the US. Jay Song, honorary associate professor at The Australian National University, speaks to FRANCE 24 about the possible wider consequences of the raid. 

This week, China showed off its military and diplomatic prowess at a giant Victory Day parade, with dozens of world leaders – but few from the West – in attendance. President Xi Jinping stood shoulder to shoulder with Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, declaring that China was "never intimidated by bullies". But does Beijing really want to create a new world order? 

In this edition of Access Asia, we explore how New Delhi is grappling with new 50 percent US tariffs taking effect. Will the souring relations between Narendra Modi and Donald Trump force India to rethink its ties with the United States and look further east? Meanwhile, South Korea scores another pop-culture win as its animated musical "K-Pop Demon Hunters" smashes Netflix records.

On this week's show, we speak with author Aatish Taseer about his new book, "A Return to Self: Excursions in Exile". He shares why he has no regrets for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "India's Divider in Chief" in his 2019 Time article. We also report on how Bangladesh remains on edge as the country approaches the one-year anniversary of Sheikh Hasina's ouster. Plus, two North Korean defectors make their K-pop debut.

On Access Asia this week, we speak to historian Audrey Truschke, whose new book covers 5,000 years of history on the Subcontinent. She tells us how she remains committed to historical truth, saying: "I will not be swayed by modern politics, modern pressures, no matter how extreme they are." We also cover how Afghans have been left in limbo, with the latest deportation drive from Iran underway.

The last remaining active pro-democracy party in Hong Kong has disbanded, citing pressure from Beijing. It's the latest casualty in a years-long crackdown that's already extinguished much of the city's opposition. Meanwhile, exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has confirmed he will have a successor after his death, ruffling some feathers in China ahead of his ninetieth birthday. Finally, the most successful series ever streamed on Netflix, "Squid Game", is coming to an end. The third and final season of the South Korean show has set a new record for the streaming platform in the first three days.

Recent conflicts have brought the threat of nuclear war to the forefront of many minds. Experts warn that the current geopolitical tensions have likely hardened North Korea's resolve to retain its nuclear capabilities. Against this backdrop, Yuka Royer speaks with Seiichiro Mise, who survived the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki at the age of 10. He shares his story and urges the world to take action towards eliminating nuclear weapons and to "spread the seeds of peace". 

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran is testing old alliances. Asian heavyweights China and India have taken different positions. This week we take a closer look at what's behind the posturing from Beijing and New Delhi. Plus, where does Asia's other nuclear-armed state, Pakistan, stand on the issue?

South Korea has suspended its propaganda broadcasts across the border to North Korea, following the election of new president Lee Jae-myung, who wants to improve relationships with Seoul's Communist neighbour. According to the South's military, Pyongyang has followed suit by switching off its loudspeakers near the Demilitarised Zone. It comes as a relief to local residents, who have had to contend with blaring sounds 24/7. 

Recent student visa pauses by the US have left thousands of Indian and Chinese students in the lurch. On this week's show we bring you a report on how students in New Delhi are being forced to look for alternatives. Plus, we speak to the first Chinese woman commencement speaker in Harvard's history, as US President Donald Trump's feud with America's oldest university intensifies. Luanna Jiang tells us she's surprised her viral speech got politicised.

Superstitious tourists from Hong Kong and China have been cancelling their trips to Japan, partly due to a manga – first published in the 1990s – predicting that a major catastrophe will hit the country in July. We take a closer look.

Before “Come Fall in Love: The DDLJ Musical” hits the stage in Manchester, we catch up with one of the stars to talk about bringing this iconic love story – and Bollywood's longest-running film, starring Shah Rukh Khan – to life on stage. We also reveal which Indian restaurant has earned its first three Michelin stars. Plus, we explore the potential impact on Chinese e-commerce businesses as the EU considers a €2 fee on small parcels. 

A 90-day truce in the US-China trade war has officially begun, with both sides temporarily lowering sky-high tariffs on each other's goods. But there's still a lot of uncertainty facing global trade. Yuka Royer speaks with Louise Loo, China lead at Oxford Economics, about what came out of the recent tit-for-tat tariff tussle and what to expect next.  

As the tit-for-tat continues between India and Pakistan following New Delhi's response to April's terror attack on civilians in Kashmir, we speak to Christopher Clary, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University at Albany, to discuss whether diplomacy can help ease the tensions between the nuclear powers. We also find out how Islamabad has managed to sustain its influence on the global stage, as India inches closer to the West. 

China has instrumentalised the UN, Interpol and Western law enforcement to hunt down and intimidate government critics living abroad, according to a new worldwide investigation led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. In a series of reports, the ICIJ sheds new light on China's long-running "transnational repression". One of its lead authors speaks to FRANCE 24 about their findings. 

In the aftermath of this week's deadly terror attack in Kashmir, relations between India and Pakistan have worsened. In this edition of Access Asia, the spokesperson for the opposition National Congress Party in India calls for unity, while acknowledging that the intent of the attack was to divide along religious lines. We also report on how the staunchly Catholic Philippines is grappling with the loss of Pope Francis.

On April 17,1975, a hardline Communist command led by Pol Pot swept into Phnom Penh and overthrew the US-backed military government of General Lon Nol. The Khmer Rouge went on to write the darkest chapter in Cambodia's history, committing one of the worst genocides of the 20th century. More than two million people were killed during their four-year rule, as they carried out mass killings and forced labour in their pursuit of radical ideologies. 

How far can reality TV go to engage viewers? Back in the 1990s, a hugely popular variety show in Japan featured a 22-year-old aspiring comedian having to survive solely on magazine sweepstakes, alone and naked in a small room for 15 months. His ordeal was recently revived in the British documentary film "The Contestant". In this edition, Nasubi reflects on the disturbing TV show and shares his thoughts on today's social media craze, with FRANCE 24's Yuka Royer. 

The US president's "Liberation Day" tariffs have hit Asian nations particularly hard, including America's closest partners like Japan and South Korea. Six Southeast Asian economies were slapped with much higher tariffs than they had expected, of up to 49 percent. Yuka Royer asks the Asia Centre's Jean-François Di Meglio about their implications and what Donald Trump is trying to achieve in his attempt to reshape the global trading order.

On this week's Access Asia, we focus on how Elon Musk is targeting sweet spots in Asia with Tesla sales taking a hit in Europe and the United States. However, bad news for Tesla is good news for China's electric vehicle maker BYD. Meanwhile, questions continue to swirl over what conflicts of interest exist for billionaire Musk, who is advising US President Donald Trump during his second term in office.

South Korea has discussed repatriating North Korean prisoners of war held in Ukraine to Seoul. The two young soldiers in question are among the more than 10,000 troops sent from Pyongyang to support Russia's war on Ukraine, although neither Moscow nor Pyongyang officially recognises their deployment. FRANCE 24's Yuka Royer speaks to Ethan Hee-Seok Shin, legal analyst at the Transitional Justice Working Group, about Seoul's aims and the dangers facing those soldiers and their families. 

On this week's show we get the latest reaction from the Philippines after the shock arrest of the country's former president, Rodrigo Duterte. He's facing charges of crimes against humanity for his war on drugs. We speak to Human Rights Watch's Asia Carlos Conde who tells us the political fighting between the Duterte and Marcos camps hastened the arrest. We also head to India as the subcontinent celebrates the colourful festival of Holi.

China has kept its growth target for this year at around 5 percent, despite a new trade war with the United States. As the government shifts its focus on boosting domestic demand, businesses are seeking ways to adapt to a new trade environment. 

EU officials have undertaken an "unprecedented" visit to India in the aftermath of US President Donald Trump saying the bloc was formed to "screw" the United States. On this week's Access Asia, we find out what both sides gained from the visit. Plus, North Korea opens its doors to Western tourists for the first time in years. Finally, we see how Chinese blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" has become the highest-grossing animated movie in history.

Around 10,000 people, mostly foreigners, have been freed from telecom fraud operations in Myanmar in recent days. Lured by lucrative job offers, they had found themselves trapped in scam centres where they were forced to work swindling people around the world. The latest crackdown sheds light on the multi-billion-dollar illegal industry, which has flourished in Myanmar's lawless borderlands. 

"I missed you a lot": Donald Trump gave Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a warm welcome at the White House. But behind the hugs, smiles and handshakes were intense negotiations. The US president complained about India's high tariffs on US goods while offering the Asian nation access to F-35 fighter jets. The Indian leader, for his part, was eager to ease friction on trade and immigration. FRANCE 24's Yuka Royer discusses the two country's ties with Suhasini Haidar, diplomatic editor of The Hindu. 

US President Donald Trump's decision to freeze foreign aid programmes and effectively shut down USAID – the US government agency responsible for international development – has rattled countries across Asia. In Thailand, home to some 90,000 refugees from Myanmar, medical care for the displaced people has already been paralysed. 

At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in northern India this week after a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela. The official tally was released hours after the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Days after the tragedy, some are still looking for their loved ones and despite the best efforts by authorities, hundreds of people wind up lost every day of the festival. FRANCE 24's Navodita Kumari, Nabeel Ahmed and Nitish Sharma report.