Asia Specific Podcast
Asia Pacific - unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region.
Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.
Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that鈥檚 home to nearly 2.5 billion people.
Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea鈥檚 K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.
Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside 麻豆社 experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond 鈥� listen to new podcast episodes twice a week.
Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk
Episodes to download
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Will AI wipe out interpreters?
Today
As AI gets better at translating languages, what will happen to human interpreters?
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The Asean diplomacy behind the Indonesian haze
Tuesday
Why Asean politics make it difficult to resolve the transboundary haze
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Does China copy or create?
Last Saturday
Critics have long accused China of copying, stealing and scaling up innovations
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Inside Japan鈥檚 fury with the US
Sat 10 Oct 2026
US bases in Okinawa under scrutiny after military personnel arrested for murder
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Why Malaysia is repatriating thousands of Burmese migrants
Tue 6 Oct 2026
Why Burmese nationals are being sent back to Myanmar
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Why Vietnam鈥檚 coffee beans might outlast others
Sat 3 Oct 2026
Robusta coffee is holding up far better than arabica as the climate warms
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Could dual citizenship stop Indonesia鈥檚 brain drain?
Tue 29 Sep 2026
Indonesia is considering dual citizenship to bring skilled Indonesians home
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Why China鈥檚 Gen Z is turning to spirituality
Sat 26 Sep 2026
China鈥檚 youth are trying buying luck in uncertain times
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Bonus: Catching My Teacher
Wed 23 Sep 2026
The Indonesian students pursuing the truth about a dark secret in a powerful institution
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An awkward accident shines a spotlight on Hyrox
Sat 19 Sep 2026
Hyrox athlete apologises after Beijing controversy - can the fitness craze keep growing?
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Inside Australia's plan to beat the algorithm
Tue 15 Sep 2026
Can a government make social media less addictive?
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Why are Australia鈥檚 native animals going extinct?
Sat 12 Sep 2026
Why Australia's conservation efforts aren鈥檛 working
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Can Indonesia stop SE Asia鈥檚 annual smoke haze?
Tue 8 Sep 2026
Slash and burn farming is to blame, so why won鈥檛 farmers stop?
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Is Hong Kong cinema鈥檚 golden age over?
Sat 5 Sep 2026
The city was once one of Asia鈥檚 great filmmaking capitals
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The AI data centre boom in South East Asia
Tue 1 Sep 2026
AI is driving a data centre boom in South East Asia but is it costing communities?
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What if leaving your bedroom felt impossible?
Fri 28 Aug 2026
More younger people in Asia are shutting themselves at home
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Bonus: What caused Nepal鈥檚 deadly flash floods?
Thu 27 Aug 2026
What we know about the devastating Nepal floods and the search for survivors
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The fight to define 鈥楢sian pop鈥� at the Grammys
Sat 22 Aug 2026
BTS rejects the Grammys鈥� new Asian pop category
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Why North East Asia is wary of immigration
Tue 18 Aug 2026
Japan tightens immigration rules amid population decline
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The politics around China鈥檚 own 鈥榤anosphere鈥�
Fri 14 Aug 2026
China has a growing 鈥渕anosphere鈥� but it looks nothing like the West
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Why Thailand welcoming Myanmar鈥檚 leader caused anger
Tue 11 Aug 2026
Thailand rolls out the red carpet for Myanmar鈥檚 leader as war rages
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Are the glory days of cheap flights in Asia over?
Sat 8 Aug 2026
Rising fuel prices are squeezing Asia鈥檚 budget airlines - what happens next?
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Bonus: Why does Trump care about the Japanese yen?
Thu 6 Aug 2026
In a highly unusual move, the US has stepped in to back Japan's currency, the yen.
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Can China deal with a huge graduate glut?
Tue 4 Aug 2026
A record 12.7 million university students enter a strained job market
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What is behind Vietnam鈥檚 counterfeit crackdown?
Fri 31 Jul 2026
Fake goods are a bad fit for Vietnam鈥檚 lofty economic ambitions
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Why people in China aren鈥檛 spending
Tue 28 Jul 2026
China wants its people to spend more. So why aren't they?
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Why more countries are favouring China over the US
Fri 24 Jul 2026
Why is China more popular than the US?
