The Port Journal

Politics Institution in charge of Prabowo’s free meals in turmoil over alleged markups Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s ambitious free meal program targets approximately 80 million children, but has been mired in controversy since the official launch in January 2025. © Reuters ISMI DAMAYANTI and REZHA HADYAN June 3, 2026 16:58 JST Updated on June 3, 2026 22:30 JST JAKARTA […]

Bank of Japan Governor’s latest assessments focus on upside inflation risks Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda’s remarks about the state of the economy come ahead of the next rate policy meeting starting on June 15. (File photo by Nanami Sato) “Even if the situation remains unclear, should it be judged that upside risks to […]

Markets Markets face mounting pressure from fiscal concerns, new export controls Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in May unveiled a new state-backed body tasked with managing exports of key commodities, raising concerns among investors. © Reuters ISMI DAMAYANTI, NATSUMI KAWASAKI and REZHA HADYAN JAKARTA — The Jakarta Composite Index fell to its lowest level in five years, at 5,855, on Wednesday, […]

Politics Nationwide polls seen as referendum on performance of progressive president Lee Jae Myung The two leading candidates in the Seoul mayoral election are Chong Won-o, left, of the ruling Democratic Party and Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party. (Source photos by Ahn Seong-bok) STEVEN BOROWIEC and KIM JAEWON SEOUL — An exit […]

Trump tariffs Japan and South Korea also targeted, along with India and several ASEAN states A container ship passes under the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in California on April 9. © Reuters JAMES HAND-CUKIERMAN June 3, 2026 13:43 JST Updated on June 3, 2026 18:10 JST TOKYO — The U.S. Trade Representative has recommended new […]

Inflation Imports outpace exports as energy prices weigh on economy Motorcyclists line up at a gasoline station in Hanoi as rising fuel costs push up prices in Vietnam as well as the value of imports. © Reuters MAI NGUYEN and YUJI NITTA HANOI — Vietnam’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) in May climbed to its highest […]

Alibaba launched its AI app Qwen in November and is now tweaking its AI agent strategy. © Reuters HONG KONG — Alibaba’s consumer-facing AI app Qwen will open its ecosystem to external agents and “skills” as the e-commerce conglomerate’s AI agent war with Tencent intensifies, the company announced on Wednesday.

Demography Births in 2025 lowest since survey began in 1899 The number of babies born in 2025 was 671,236, down 2.2% from 2024, but the pace of the decline is slowing down. (Photo by Shogo Kodama) Nikkei staff writers June 3, 2026 14:48 JST Updated on June 3, 2026 17:41 JST TOKYO — Japan’s total fertility […]

Politics Institution in charge of Prabowo’s free meals under scrutiny for alleged markups Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s ambitious free meal program targets approximately 80 million children, but has been mired in controversy since the official launch in January 2025. © Reuters ISMI DAMAYANTI and REZHA HADYAN JAKARTA — Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency, responsible for President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship multibillion-dollar […]

Politics Former Thai premier’s sentence ends, ankle monitor to be removed Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is seen on May 11 after being released on parole in Bangkok. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT BANGKOK — Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was granted a royal pardon Wednesday, allowing him to live as a free […]