Asia Specific
Claim This Podcastby BBC World Service
Podcast Overview
<p>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.</p><p>Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s 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’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.</p><p>Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new podcast episodes twice a week.</p><p>Get in touch: <a href="mailto:asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk">asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk</a></p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
11/18/2025
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Recent Episodes
July 17, 2026
Inside a major baby trafficking trial in Indonesia
<p>Multiple families in Singapore are facing an unimaginable possibility that the children they legally adopted from Indonesia may have been victims of an alleged baby trafficking network.</p><p>A major trial is underway in Indonesia involving 19 defendants accused of buying babies, forging documents, and arranging adoptions of the children, including at least 12 babies who were brought to Singapore. The defendants deny the allegations.</p><p>The case has raised difficult questions about international adoption, how trafficking networks operate and why vulnerable parents give up their babies.</p><p>On this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC journalists Tessa Wong in Singapore and Astudestra Ajengrastri in Jakarta about the ongoing trial, the families caught up in the case, and what could happen to the children.</p><p>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.</p><p>Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people.</p><p>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’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.</p><p>Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: <a href="https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt">https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt</a></p><p>Get in touch: <a href="mailto:asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk">asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk</a></p>
July 14, 2026
Why armed men killed a US pilot in Indonesia
<p>On July 2, separatist rebels released a video saying that they had shot dead a US pilot and set his plane on fire in Indonesia's far eastern Papua region. </p><p>The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) said they killed 29-year-old Nicholas F Gosselin after he landed in the Highland Papua province, and claimed that the pilot had been transporting Indonesian troops into the region. </p><p>Indonesia’s military rejects those claims, saying the passengers were indigenous Papuans. </p><p>Indonesian officials confirmed that Gosselin's plane had been found burnt, but said it was unclear what happened to him or his seven passengers on board. </p><p>This is the latest in a string of events spanning decades in the resource-rich region over which the Indonesian government and West Papua’s indigenous people are fighting.</p><p>On this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi unpacks the years of conflict in the contested area with two journalists who have been covering West Papua: Johnny Blades from Radio New Zealand and Abraham Utama from the BBC’s Indonesian language service.</p><p>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.</p><p>Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s 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’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.</p><p>Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: <a href="https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt">https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt</a></p><p>Get in touch: <a href="mailto:asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk">asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk</a></p>
July 10, 2026
Why can’t Japan have a female emperor?
<p>The Japanese imperial family is running out of members — with only 16 royals remaining, questions are growing about the future of the world's oldest hereditary monarchy. So what is the Japanese government's plan to safeguard the imperial line, and why is it proving so controversial? Japan is facing a royal succession dilemma. With a shrinking imperial family, fewer members are available to carry out official duties, while the pool of potential heirs continues to narrow. To address the issue, the Japanese government is considering allowing male descendants of former imperial branches to rejoin the imperial family. Supporters argue it would help preserve the traditional male line of succession and secure the future of the monarchy. But not everyone agrees. Many in Japan favour a different solution: allowing women to retain their imperial status after marriage and even paving the way for a future empress to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. The debate has opened up broader questions about tradition, gender equality and the future role of the monarchy in modern Japan. In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi is joined by Japanese journalist Mayu Yoshida and David McNeill, Professor of Communications at the University of the Sacred Heart, to unpack the proposals, the politics and what the public thinks should happen next.</p><p>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’s 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’s 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 BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: <a href="https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt">https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt</a> Get in touch: <a href="mailto:asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk">asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk</a></p>
73 total episodes available
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- What is Asia Specific?
<p>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.</p><p>Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s 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’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.</p><p>Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new podcast episodes twice a week.</p><p>Get in touch: <a href="mailto:asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk">asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk</a></p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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