Here’s a roundup of the top stories from Asia this week.
Tokyo to Offer Free Daycare in Bid to Boost Birth Rate
Japan is grappling with a declining birth rate, and Tokyo’s Governor Yuriko Koike has announced plans to make daycare free for all preschool children starting in September 2025. The initiative aims to ease the financial burden on families and encourage more couples to have children.
“Japan is facing the crisis of a declining number of children, which isn’t going away,” Governor Koike stated during the announcement. The new policy expands on existing measures that provide free daycare for second-born and subsequent children.
Thailand Introduces Debt Relief Measures to Ease Household Burden
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced on Wednesday that the cabinet has approved new measures to support retail borrowers and small businesses struggling with debt. The initiatives include interest suspensions and reduced principal payments, aiming to tackle household debt more sustainably.
The government views high household debt as a constraint on consumption and economic growth. “These measures will help alleviate the financial pressures on our citizens,” Prime Minister Thavisin said at a press conference.
Philippine Volcano Activity Prompts Evacuations
Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano in the central Philippines, showed increased activity this week, prompting authorities to initiate emergency evacuations. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported minor ash emissions and elevated seismic activity, leading to heightened alert levels.
Communities near the volcano are being evacuated as a precautionary measure. The Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making volcanic activity and earthquakes common occurrences.
Reference(s):
Asia News Wrap: Afghan minister killed in Kabul explosion, and more
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