Asian Insider: Top job change for Japan and Thailand | Will climate change derail future Olympic Games?
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Dear ST reader,
We hope you’ve been keeping well.
Turmoils at the top – that’s the big news in Asia this week.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent shockwaves through the political system when he announced he will step down after a successor is chosen in the ruling party’s September election. Meanwhile, his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin was ousted by a court decision after barely a year in office.
Mr Kishida’s move kicks off a heated race to succeed him, reports Walter Sim, and saves him the indignity of being ousted at the party polls. And while Thailand’s lawmakers will convene to pick a new PM as early as tomorrow, horse-trading amongst them could leave government policies in limbo, reports Tan Hui Yee.
Turning to economic issues, Tan Dawn Wei reports on the dilemma facing China, which needs to raise its retirement age to deal with an ageing population and shrinking workforce. We also have two big-reads – a commentary from Vikram Khanna on why Asean needs its own development bank, and Ravi Velloor’s take on India’s aviation sector taking off.
And if you’re still missing the thrills and spills of the recently-concluded Olympics, read this riveting tale of Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo by Raul Dancel and Mara Cepeda. Looking ahead, our climate change editor David Fogarty explores if the Games can go the distance, in the face of environmental concerns.
Kishida’s plan to step down kicks off heated race to succeed him
Read more:
Thailand in limbo amid backroom deals for next PM
Read more on Thai politics:
New UK Foreign Secretary will eye economic cooperation on possible China visit as he resets ties
More from Beijing:
Will Prabowo’s presidency see the return of Suharto’s military men?
More from Indonesia:
How Arab-Americans could swing the presidential election
The Arab American and Jewish populations will be closely watching Kamala Harris’ Middle East policy.
Listen:
Can the Olympics go the distance in the face of climate change?
More on the environment:
Tear-jerker ads: Why Thailand is the region’s king of commercials
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