Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to face scrutiny over her promised tax cuts and spending initiatives on Monday (Feb 9) following her historic election victory, which has boosted expectations that she could push through stimulus measures that have unsettled financial markets. Takaichi’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) achieved a decisive win in Sunday’s election, aided by her pledge to suspend the eight percent food sales tax for two years — a plan she has called her “long‑cherished dream.”

Investors, however, remain wary about how Japan, already the most indebted developed nation, would fund the initiative. The uncertainty has triggered a selloff in government bonds and weakened the yen to historic lows against major currencies. Some analysts suggested that her strong mandate might allow her to scale back the plan, as opposition parties advocating even larger tax cuts were soundly defeated. But Takaichi dismissed this idea in several brief TV interviews on Sunday, affirming her intent to act quickly on the LDP’s promise.

Her strengthened position also diminishes resistance from fiscal conservatives within the party, analysts say. Takaichi is expected to hold her first major post-election press conference on Monday. “While some LDP members remain cautious, the election outcome raises the likelihood of a consumption tax cut,” said Ryutaro Kono, chief Japan economist at BNP Paribas. “The premier has repeatedly criticized past fiscal policy as too restrictive and clearly favors overhauling the system dominated by the finance ministry and party experts.”

Aware of the financial impact, Takaichi has emphasized that the tax cut will be temporary and has pledged to maintain responsible fiscal management. Following the LDP’s win, Japanese stocks rose, government bonds fell, and the yen regained some ground, reflecting market optimism that decisive fiscal action is now possible. Government spokesperson Minoru Kihara noted that Japan is monitoring foreign exchange markets closely due to concerns about rapid currency fluctuations.

The key challenge remains funding the tax suspension, which could cost roughly five trillion yen (S$40.55 billion) annually, about the size of Japan’s education budget. Takaichi has ruled out issuing new debt and offered few specifics on alternative sources, suggesting that cross-party discussions on social welfare and taxation will determine the details. Previous hints about tapping non-tax revenues have drawn attention to Japan’s US$1.4 trillion foreign exchange reserves, though heavy use could spark fears of selling US Treasury holdings, potentially unsettling markets and straining relations with Washington.

Prolonged uncertainty over funding could trigger further bond market selloffs. Rising government bond yields would increase the cost of servicing Japan’s massive debt, which is roughly double the size of its economy, and could weaken the yen further, raising import costs and potentially offsetting the benefit of tax cuts for households. Shinichi Ichikawa, senior fellow at Pictet Asset Management Japan, said, “She may have won the public mandate, but not the market’s yet. Concerns over finances and a weaker yen could push up food prices, which might hurt her popularity.”

Since taking office in October, Takaichi has already moderated earlier plans for large-scale spending and tax cuts to avoid market disruption. Despite the election victory, she appeared serious and measured in post-election interviews, reflecting awareness of the delicate balance between delivering on promises and maintaining market stability. Asked why she looked so stern after a landslide win and how she would take responsibility if her administration failed, she responded sharply: “It’s pretty mean to ask that of someone who’s about to give it everything.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday described the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a transformative step for bilateral ties while speaking at the inaugural India–EU Forum, organised by the Ananta Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs. Jaishankar said he highlighted how the FTA has emerged as a “game-changing” development for India–EU relations, while also underlining other promising areas of cooperation such as security, defence, climate action, technology, and talent mobility. He added that he hoped the forum would encourage deeper dialogue and greater alignment between India and the European Union.

His remarks came shortly after India and the EU finalised and signed the landmark FTA on January 27, concluding long-running negotiations and marking a major milestone in one of India’s most important strategic economic partnerships. Framed as a modern, rules-based trade pact, the agreement addresses present-day global challenges and enables deeper market integration between the world’s fourth- and second-largest economies. With a combined market size of over Rs 2091.6 lakh crore (USD 24 trillion), the deal opens up new opportunities for nearly two billion people across India and the EU.

Under the FTA, more than 99 per cent of India’s exports by trade value will receive preferential market access, while India retains flexibility to protect sensitive sectors and uphold its development priorities. In 2024–25, bilateral merchandise trade stood at around Rs 11.5 lakh crore (USD 136.54 billion), with India exporting about Rs 6.4 lakh crore (USD 75.85 billion) to the EU. Services trade reached Rs 7.2 lakh crore (USD 83.10 billion).

Despite strong trade growth, both sides acknowledge significant untapped potential, which the FTA seeks to unlock by paving the way for India and the EU to become key economic partners. The agreement reshapes bilateral ties into a comprehensive, multi-dimensional partnership, offering predictability for exporters and enabling Indian companies, including MSMEs, to plan long-term investments and integrate into European value chains amid global uncertainty.

India has secured preferential access across 97 per cent of tariff lines, accounting for 99.5 per cent of trade value. Of these, 70.4 per cent of tariff lines covering 90.7 per cent of India’s exports will see immediate duty elimination in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather and footwear, tea, coffee, spices, toys, sports goods, gems and jewellery, and select marine products. A further 20.3 per cent of tariff lines will be phased to zero duty within three to five years, while 6.1 per cent will receive tariff cuts or tariff rate quotas for products such as automobiles, steel, and certain shrimp and prawn items. Crucially, sectors currently facing EU duties ranging from 4 per cent to 26 per cent—together accounting for exports worth over Rs 2.87 lakh crore (USD 33 billion)—will gain zero-duty access from the date the agreement takes effect, sharply enhancing competitiveness.

In exchange, India will reduce or eliminate duties on 92.1 per cent of its tariff lines, covering 97.5 per cent of EU exports. Nearly half of these will see immediate duty elimination, while most of the remainder will be phased out over five, seven, or ten years. The FTA is expected to boost agriculture and processed food exports through preferential access for products such as tea, coffee, spices, grapes, gherkins, dried onion, and fresh fruits and vegetables, while carefully protecting sensitive areas like dairy, cereals, poultry, and soymeal.

Product-specific rules of origin are aligned with existing supply chains, allow self-certification, and provide special flexibilities for MSMEs, including quotas for shrimps, prawns, and downstream aluminium products. On services, the EU has made expanded commitments across 144 sub-sectors, including IT and IT-enabled services, professional services, education, and business services. India, in turn, has opened 102 sub-sectors covering EU priorities such as telecommunications, maritime, financial, and environmental services.

The agreement also creates a strong mobility framework for Indian professionals, covering intra-corporate transferees, contractual service suppliers, and independent professionals across multiple sub-sectors, along with commitments to finalise social security agreements within five years. Practitioners of traditional Indian medicine will gain improved access to provide AYUSH services in EU member states, with future provisions for wellness centres and clinics. The FTA strengthens intellectual property protections in line with TRIPS, recognises India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, and enhances cooperation on sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical standards through digitisation and mutual recognition.

The deal is expected to deliver gains across engineering goods, marine products, leather and footwear, gems and jewellery, textiles, chemicals, plastics, medical devices, and minerals, driving exports, job creation, and investment. The India–EU FTA positions both sides as preferred economic partners and lays the groundwork for a resilient, future-ready partnership—an objective Jaishankar said the India–EU Forum aims to advance through deeper cooperation across strategic domains.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@DrSJaishankar.

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev completed a two-day state visit to Pakistan on 4 February 2026, marking the first visit by a Kazakh leader in more than twenty years. The visit concluded with the signing of a Joint Declaration establishing a strategic partnership between Islamabad and Astana, alongside 37 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as trade, mining, agriculture, and transport. Significantly, the declaration referenced the Jammu and Kashmir issue, calling for its “peaceful resolution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions” as crucial for lasting peace in South Asia.

President Tokayev arrived in Islamabad on 3 February at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He was welcomed with a ceremonial guard of honour and held discussions with both Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. Talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade, enhancing regional connectivity through initiatives like the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, and facilitating access to Pakistani ports, including Gwadar and Karachi.

The mention of Kashmir in paragraph 15 of the joint declaration has generated controversy. It states that “a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions is indispensable for lasting peace and stability in South Asia.” Pakistan frequently cites the 1948–49 UNSC resolutions, which had called for a plebiscite, though these were effectively superseded by later agreements such as the 1972 Simla Agreement, which India maintains makes the issue a bilateral matter.

India has historically opposed third-party references to Kashmir, viewing them as interference in its internal affairs. Kazakhstan’s inclusion of the issue—despite its strong ties with India through trade, defence, and multilateral platforms like the SCO—has been seen by some as the result of Pakistani diplomatic maneuvering. While New Delhi has yet to issue an official statement, analysts expect a firm response emphasizing the bilateral nature of the dispute. This is not Pakistan’s first success in securing such language; similar references have appeared in previous joint statements with other countries.

Kazakhstan’s mention is notable given its traditionally neutral position in regional disputes and its growing economic interests in India, including energy and defence cooperation. The declaration underscores Pakistan’s efforts to diversify its international partnerships following economic challenges and FATF scrutiny, while Kazakhstan seeks to balance its relations with major powers such as China, Russia, and India, while increasing engagement in South Asia. Nevertheless, the Kashmir clause could strain Astana’s ties with New Delhi without delivering tangible benefits for Islamabad.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.

Be with someone who would cross mountains and oceans for you—or even slide across the floor to apologize. That’s exactly what Japanese volleyball star Yuji Nishida demonstrated. The 1.87m opposite hitter went viral on social media for showing what a “sweeping” apology really looks like. During the Japanese SV League All-Star Game on February 1, Nishida accidentally hit a courtside staff member while participating in a skills challenge.

Immediately realizing his mistake, Nishida sprang into action—literally. He slid across the court on his stomach while bowing deeply in apology. He then knelt and continued bowing, with the staff member responding good-naturedly, pretending to be injured and laughing as Nishida returned to the game.

The 26-year-old’s comical yet earnest apology quickly went viral, amassing over 8.5 million views in less than 24 hours on X, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. One user called it “peak anime energy,” while another remarked: “The sincerity of the apology is so real yet so absurdly hilarious—it’s peak comedy.”

X user @oikakee wrote: “Get you a man who will slide across the court and put his whole body on the ground to apologize (unfortunately, there’s only one Yuji Nishida, and he’s already taken).” Nishida is married to fellow Japanese volleyball player Sarina Koga. On December 8, 2025, he announced on Instagram—where he has 1.8 million followers—that the couple had welcomed their first child.

Another fan, Gelson Luz, commented: “Yuji Nishida sets a high bar for apologies. The world could use more people with his spirit, though my floors are grateful there’s only one.” Despite the slip-up, Nishida shone on court and was later named Most Valuable Player of the All-Star Game at Kobe’s Gion Arena. He is set to return to club action on February 7 with Osaka Bluteon, which he captains and which currently sits second in the 10-team SV League.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@oikakee.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s coalition secured a historic victory in Sunday’s (Feb 8) election, setting the stage for planned tax cuts that have rattled financial markets, as well as increased military spending to counter China. For insights into this outcome, Andrea Heng and Genevieve Woo consulted Dr. Lim Tai Wei, East Asia specialist and Professor at Soka University, Japan.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit Japan on January 13–14 for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The leaders are scheduled to meet in Nara City on January 13, followed by a dinner, where discussions are expected to cover regional and global matters, as well as economic and social issues. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Michiyo Ishida, CNA’s senior correspondent, for more details.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Singapore’s “dead birds” hotline recorded its highest number of reports last year, reflecting a growing toll of birds killed after colliding with glass surfaces on buildings. The museum notes that the problem is expanding beyond sheer numbers, now affecting newer and sometimes rarer species as urban development intensifies. The report explores the causes behind these collisions, the reasons bird-friendly architecture has yet to become common practice, and the practical solutions—such as specially treated glass and façade modifications—that could significantly reduce bird deaths. Andrea Heng and Rani Samtani discuss these issues with Dr Tan Yen Yi, Research Fellow at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party has selected 46-year-old academic Yodchanan Wongsawat, a nephew of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as its leading candidate for the premiership in the February election. The move brings the influential Shinawatra family back into focus as Thailand grapples with deadly border clashes with Cambodia and internal challenges within the party. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the implications of his candidacy for party cohesion, border security, and the country’s political trajectory with Kevin Hewison, Emeritus Professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.