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Asia Specific

BBC World Service
China
South Korea
Taiwan
Japan
United States
Yoon Suk Yeol
Indonesia
Corruption
Tourism
Myanmar
Aung San Suu Kyi
Martial Law
Democracy
Thailand
Iran
Beijing
Asia Pacific
North Korea
Xi Jinping
BBC

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 b... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes61Founded7 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Asia Specific

Latest Episodes

Having welcomed Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to Beijing, China's leader is making his first overseas trip of this year to North Korea.

It's Xi Jinping's first visit to Pyongyang in seven years, and he's visiting a nation bolstered by an increasin... more

Thailand has cut the visa-free stay time for tourists, but will it boost numbers for an industry which is a lifeblood of the economy? Tourist numbers have fallen and have never gone back to the same level as before the Covid pandemic. While the gover... more

AI is fuelling the biggest stock market rally in the world. South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index has nearly doubled in value this year – a rally driven largely by semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which have benefited from soaring... more

Comments by a senior Indonesian official about students pursuing “irrelevant” university degrees has sparked a debate about what sort of careers will survive in a fast-changing job market. Indonesia is looking at ways to better equip universities and... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jonathan Head
BBC Bangkok correspondent
BBC
Episode: Thailand’s tourism challenge
Herald van der Linde
Head of equity strategy for Asia Pacific at HSBC
HSBC
Episode: South Korea’s stock boom
Astudestra Ajengrastri
BBC World Service Jakarta correspondent
BBC World Service
Episode: Asia’s 'irrelevant' uni degree question
Tu Le
Managing Director, Sino Auto Insights
Sino Auto Insights; host of China EVs and more, At the Wheel
Episode: The US-China robotaxi race
Ariella Ara Arida
Former Miss Universe Philippines 2013, national director of Miss Universe Philippines Organisation for training and development
Miss Universe Philippines Organisation
Episode: The Philippines beauty pageant controversy
Jake Kwon
Correspondent in Seoul covering North and South Korea
BBC World Service
Episode: Why North Korea became a women's football powerhouse
Daisy Yoo
Freelance sports reporter
Freelance
Episode: Why North Korea became a women's football powerhouse
Ade Mardiyati
Journalist based in Bali
Bali-based journalist
Episode: Bali’s rubbish crisis
Gary Bencheghib
Environmental campaigner
Sungai Watch
Episode: Bali’s rubbish crisis

Host

Mariko Oi
Host of Asia Specific; BBC World Service

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 41 ratings
  • A Real Mixed Bag

    It’s so hard to know what you’re signing up for with this podcast. Some weeks you get great insights into geopolitics and other weeks it’s about beauty pageants. Both valid, but I’m sure there’s enough political news or cultural news coming out of Asia to fill a podcast series. So it would be nice if they picked a lane. I guess part of it might be that they’re quite new and don’t know what they want to be?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    PraSar87
    Canada18 days ago
  • Consistently engaging

    Mariko Oi consistently identifies news angles from the Asia-Pacific region and deals with them in an engaging way in 20 minutes. Two experts on the topic at hand join her every week. It’s a simple, effective format. Highly recommended for a broad understanding of topical issues facing the Asia Pacific region.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Toffee Boiling Dwarf
    Hong Kong2 months ago
  • Great!

    Great idea, really loving this so far!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jake90985
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Great new podcast.

    Loving this new podcast. Great subject matter, well delivered and explained. And Mariko Oi is simply a joy to listen to. Keep the episodes coming!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ryan Sheales
    Australia6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The format is simple and effective, with two experts per episode.
Mariko Oi consistently identifies Asia-Pacific angles and keeps conversations tight and informative.
Very engaging and topic-rich; the host is a joy to listen to.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#50
South Korea/News
Apple Podcasts
#89
Singapore/News
Apple Podcasts
#145
Japan/News
Apple Podcasts
#176
Denmark/News
Apple Podcasts
#225
Hong Kong/News
Apple Podcasts
#241
Netherlands/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

South Korea’s stock boom
Q: What macro factors could derail the momentum, and how might investors position themselves in such a scenario?
Key risks include a sudden turn in global AI capex cycles, higher interest rates, or a collapse in risk appetite; investors might consider hedging, look for value across diversified sectors such as defense and energy, and monitor policy moves that could shift money back from equities to real estate or other assets.
South Korea’s stock boom
Q: Herald, how sustainable is this rally given the concentration in Samsung and Hynix and the reliance on AI-driven demand?
While AI-driven demand has been a powerful catalyst, the rally's sustainability depends on broader market diversification, ongoing AI investment by customers, and prudent risk management as leverage and foreign exposure become limiting factors for new money entering the market.
The US-China robotaxi race
Q: What is the main difference between Level 2 Plus and Level 4 autonomy?
Level 2 Plus keeps a driver responsible for the vehicle, while Level 4 moves more of the control to the OEM and the vehicle itself, reducing or removing human intervention.
Asia’s 'irrelevant' uni degree question
Q: What exactly was said to spark the debate about irrelevant degrees in Indonesia?
Officials talked about evaluating or potentially closing majors deemed irrelevant to the job market, aiming to reduce graduate-industry mismatch, though the minister later clarified that no majors would be closed and that universities should stay relevant to technological development.
Bali’s rubbish crisis
Q: Are there any models from other regions in Indonesia that Bali could replicate to improve waste management?
Yes, some areas in Central Java show promising waste-management models, but scale and funding are critical challenges; replication requires local leadership and sustained investment, not just pilot successes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Asia Specific

What is Asia Specific about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A data-driven, region-focused briefing that features informed discussions with reporters, economists, policymakers, and industry analysts about Asia-Pacific dynamics. Episodes frequently explore trade, technology policy, energy markets, geopolitical flashpoints, and cultural phenomena (notably entertainment and tourism), often pairing a local host with regional guests to unpack complex issues in clear, actionable terms for business audiences. The show tends to blend on-the-ground reporting with strategic context, offering timely perspectives on how macro trends translate into markets, policy, and daily life across Asia. A notable strength is its accessibility and breadth—covering economics, diplomacy, and soft power with guests who bring bo... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Asia Specific?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Asia Specific:

1. World Business Report
2. Business Daily
3. Global News Podcast
4. English News - NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN
5. The Global Story

How many episodes of Asia Specific are there?

Asia Specific launched 7 months ago and published 61 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Asia Specific?

Recent guests on Asia Specific include:

1. Jonathan Head
2. Herald van der Linde
3. Astudestra Ajengrastri
4. Tu Le
5. Ariella Ara Arida
6. Jake Kwon
7. Daisy Yoo
8. Ade Mardiyati

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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