Demographics & Family Policy

Japanese death-tainted homes sell at steep discounts to budget buyers

Japan's stigmatized properties—homes where deaths occurred—sell at steep discounts, drawing budget-conscious buyers despite cultural taboos.

BBC News

Asian Games plagued by hotel breakdowns, transit failures, diplomatic missteps

Japan's Asian Games hosting exposed operational failures despite the nation's reputation for event management.

BBC News

Singapore regulator probes seven firms over haze links as minister warns of accountability

Singapore's environment minister warns of persistent haze; agricultural stocks fall on crop damage concerns.

CNBC

Singapore confronts persistent haze as leader pledges intervention

Singapore's Prime Minister warns of action as the city-state faces severe air quality crisis from haze.

CNBC

Singapore's third-quarter economic growth decelerates yet surpasses forecasts

Singapore's third-quarter GDP growth slowed from a four-year peak but exceeded analyst forecasts.

CNBC · Al Jazeera

DBS chief touts Singapore's stability as global conditions deteriorate

CNBC

Singapore's PM Wong dismisses currency depreciation as competitiveness strategy

CNBC

Moody's warns demographic shifts will strain government budgets starting in 2029

Western populations projected to shrink starting 2029, threatening public finance sustainability.

CNBC

Singapore launches dating service for public sector employees

Singapore addresses severe demographic decline by promoting matchmaking services to boost birthrate.

Al Jazeera

Japan's oldest companies shutting down at unprecedented rates amid economic headwinds

Long-established Japanese businesses are closing in record numbers due to cost increases, workforce scarcity, declining demand, and generational transition difficulties.

CNBC

Singapore launches government-backed dating platform for young civil servants

The city-state introduced a state-sponsored dating application targeting young public employees as part of efforts to address its demographic challenges.

CNBC

Japanese mayor who took parental leave makes TIME100 Next roster

Shoko Kawata's decision to take maternity leave as a municipal leader gained recognition on TIME's emerging leaders list, reflecting evolving attitudes toward family responsibilities in the workplace.

BBC News

Japan dramatically increases permanent residency application costs to manage foreign population

Japan has raised permanent residency fees twentyfold as part of broader policy shifts aimed at controlling its expanding immigrant workforce.

BBC News

Singapore introduces dating program targeting civil servants amid demographic concerns

Singapore government launches matchmaking service for its workers, a social policy initiative with no direct market implications.

BBC News

Japanese singles turn to paid matchmaking firms as dating fatigue grows

Japan's dating market increasingly relies on corporate matchmaking services as young singles struggle with romance.

The New York Times