'Work, work, work!' Japan's new PM under fire for asking staff to come in at 3am
Pacific Asia • Nov 14, 2025, 4:16 PM
1 min de lecture
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.
Today
Indonesia: Hundreds of Indonesians flee homes after volcano erupts
Pacific Asia • 10:45 AM
1 min
Mount Semeru in eastern Java erupted on November 19, throwing ash and gas more than 13 kilometres (eight miles) away and forcing officials to raise the alert status to its highest level.
Read the article
After toppling a government, young Nepalis drive a new wave of voters and candidates
Pacific Asia • 6:13 AM
1 min
With fresh elections set for March 2026, Nepalis spurred on by the September protests that brought down a government are registering to vote in record numbers – or running for office themselves.
Read the article