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Artwork for Asia Specific

Asia Specific

BBC World Service
China
Asia Pacific
Taiwan
Japan
Australia
United States
Beijing
South Korea
Hong Kong
Donald Trump
Southeast Asia
Cambodia
Economic Growth
K-Pop
Soft Power
Climate Change
National Security Law
Social Change
Social Media
Thailand

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 weeklyEpisodes38Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Asia Specific

Latest Episodes

Will North Korea and China rethink their weapons programme after the US-Israeli attacks on Iran?

Pyongyang has come under pressure from the US in recent years over its nuclear stance and China, experts believe, is expanding its arsenal.

The US an... more

The superpowers of US and China are taking starkly different directions on cryptocurrency trading. So, what is behind this and what does it mean for the future of crypto?

The US under President Donald Trump positions itself as a pro-crypto hub to fo... more

China’s growth is slowing as the US-Israel war with Iran jolts the world economy and oil prices spike.

Once seen as the growth engine of Asia and the world, China is now trying to shield its giant economy from external shocks, this year setting its... more

Creators of Japan’s popular manga comics see both threat and opportunity in AI. Some think it can help with labour shortages and boost productivity, but many artists and publishers fear copyright infringement, falling incomes and the devaluation of h... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Zhao Tong
Nuclear Policy Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (Washington-based think tank)
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Episode: What message does the Iran war send to Asia’s nuclear powers?
Dasl Yoon
Reporter with The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
Episode: What message does the Iran war send to Asia’s nuclear powers?
Sam Reynolds
Senior Reporter
CoinDesk
Episode: The US-China crypto split
Angela Ang
Head of Policy and Strategic Partnerships for APAC at TRM Labs
TRM Labs
Episode: The US-China crypto split
Suranjana Tewari
Asia Business correspondent
BBC
Episode: Can China’s economy survive global shocks?
Laura Bicker
China correspondent
BBC
Episode: Can China’s economy survive global shocks?
Darren Boey
AI consultant
Unmute (AI consulting)
Episode: Is AI threatening Japan’s manga industry?
James Dorsey
Guest expert from S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Episode: China warns against ‘law of the jungle’ after US-Israeli strikes on Iran
Dai Ota
Executive producer of The Boyfriend
Unknown (executive producer)
Episode: The boom in queer romance shows

Host

Mariko Oi
Host of Asia Specific, offering insights on key regional trends and politics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 32 ratings
  • Great!

    Great idea, really loving this so far!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jake90985
    United Kingdom4 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
    Australia4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the insightful discussions and the clarity with which complex topics are presented.
Feedback highlights the podcast's unique perspective on Asian political dynamics, differentiating it from Western-centric analyses.
Many commend the engaging style of the host, Mariko Oi, often mentioning her ability to make intricate political issues accessible.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#97
Japan/News
Apple Podcasts
#149
Singapore/News
Apple Podcasts
#150
Philippines/News
Apple Podcasts
#179
Hong Kong/News
Apple Podcasts
#186
South Korea/News
Apple Podcasts
#208
Indonesia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The US-China crypto split
Q: So Sam, can you just tell us who uses which ones for what purposes?
Bitcoin is used for high‑value purchases and as a volatile but widely adopted store of value, while stablecoins are preferred for faster, cheaper, cross-border transactions and as a bridge to traditional currencies.
What message does the Iran war send to Asia’s nuclear powers?
Q: Firstly, this attack on Iran, do you think it plays into the calculations of Chinese or North Korean leaders when it comes to their nuclear weapons programs?
Zhao Tong argues that China may see nuclear weapons as a tool to compel the U.S. to respect Chinese core interests, while Dasl Yoon notes North Korea already treats its program as deterrence and insurance against perceived hostility, with both sides recalibrating their strategies in response to U.S. actions and the erosion of the nuclear umbrella.
What message does the Iran war send to Asia’s nuclear powers?
Q: The US and Israel attack on Iran caused upheaval in the Middle East and on global markets. But long term, how will it change the way other countries think about their defense?
The discussion suggests it will push China to reinforce the perceived coercive value of nuclear weapons and potentially lead to greater focus on regime security, while North Korea views its nuclear arsenal as essential for survival and could feel encouraged to expand; together these dynamics indicate a broader shift toward hedging against perceived American deterrence failures and adjusting regional security calculations.
The boom in queer romance shows
Q: So Derek, for viewers and listeners who might not be familiar, can you just explain what Boys' Love content are?
Derek explains BL originated in Japan in the 1970s, rooted in a manga tradition where women authors later pushed back against misogyny, leading to stories about two men and a broader movement toward romantic fantasy that resonates with audiences outside Japan.
China warns against ‘law of the jungle’ after US-Israeli strikes on Iran
Q: Since the attack, Beijing and Pyongyang have condemned it, but US allies like Japan and Australia have been cautious. How is this attack viewed in Asia more broadly?
The episode suggests a split in regional sentiment, with some countries uneasy about the leadership actions but overall wary of destabilizing the region; there is concern that this reflects a broader Western-led approach to Middle East security and questions about regional balance of power.

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
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Frequently Asked Questions About Asia Specific

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

Offering essential insights and conversations on the Asia Pacific region, this podcast provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the area's complex socio-economic and geopolitical landscape. Key topics frequently covered range from political dynasties and election dynamics in countries like the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, to cultural trends such as the influence of K-pop and the region's responses to global issues like US-China trade relations. With contributions from local experts and international correspondents, it emphasizes Asian perspectives, making it a vital resource for anyone interested in the region.

Where can I find podcast stats for Asia Specific?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Asia Specific. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Asia Specific and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Asia Specific get?

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What are the audience demographics for Asia Specific?

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How many subscribers and views does Asia Specific have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Asia Specific?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Asia Specific:

1. Global News Podcast
2. Business Daily
3. Learning English from the News
4. The Global Story
5. The Documentary Podcast

How many episodes of Asia Specific are there?

Asia Specific launched 5 months ago and published 38 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Asia Specific?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Asia Specific?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Asia Specific from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Asia Specific?

Recent guests on Asia Specific include:

1. Zhao Tong
2. Dasl Yoon
3. Sam Reynolds
4. Angela Ang
5. Suranjana Tewari
6. Laura Bicker
7. Darren Boey
8. James Dorsey

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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