Asia
Decentralising Japan
Japanese firms are leaving Tokyo for the sticks
The government would like to see many more follow
Left behind
New Zealand tires of its cuddly liberal government
A coalition of right-wing parties is expected to win the coming elections
Even better than the real thing
Virtual influencers are burning up South Koreans’ Instagram feeds
They are cheap to hire, always look great and they don’t bully their colleagues
The Cricket World Cup
Narendra Modi has seized and politicised Indian cricket
India dominates the sport. The way it uses its power is worrying
Losing the Voice
Australians look set to reject new provisions for Aboriginal people
Advocates of a constitutional “Voice” for Aboriginal people are facing defeat
Digital Jio-graphy
Can a $12 phone get 300m illiterate Indians online?
India’s biggest mobile network is aiming to bridge an America-sized gap in internet access
Gender politics
Narendra Modi wants a lot more women in Indian politics
India’s female political representation is worse than Pakistan’s
Japanese loos
The world’s greatest toilet culture
A fine German film director puts Japan’s spotless facilities in the spotlight
Politics and the law
South Korea’s opposition leader narrowly avoids arrest
Lee Jae-myung claims the charges against him are trumped up
Strait up lies
China is flooding Taiwan with disinformation
With elections looming, China wants Taiwanese voters to think America is their greatest threat
After the assassination
India is testing America’s friendship
Its partnership with the West is strong but not unbreakable