Asia News Wrap: Typhoon Gaemi wrecks havoc in Asia, and more

Here are a few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week:

Typhoon Gaemi Impact: Typhoon Gaemi has devastated Southeast and East Asia, causing over 40 deaths and hundreds of injuries. In the Philippines, the storm killed 33 people, displaced over 600,000, and flooded Manila, leading to school and office closures, flight cancellations, and a state of calamity. The typhoon then struck Taiwan, resulting in seven deaths and 785 injuries. On China’s mainland, Fujian Province relocated 156,800 residents and canceled ferry routes and flights.

Malaysia’s New King: Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, a billionaire from Johor, was installed as Malaysia’s king under the unique rotating monarchy system. This system, involving nine Malay state rulers, has been in place since Malaysia’s independence in 1957. Sultan Ibrahim, one of Malaysia’s richest men, has a diverse business empire and will serve a five-year term.

Extended School Holidays in Pakistan: Southern Pakistan extended school holidays by two weeks due to high temperatures, affecting over 100,000 schools. The Sindh education department made the decision for children’s well-being amid heatwaves that saw temperatures exceed 50 degrees Celsius.

Japan’s Population Decline: Japan’s population fell at its fastest rate in 2023 since data collection began in the 1960s, dropping for the 15th consecutive year. The population of Japanese nationals decreased by over 800,000 to 121.6 million, posing challenges for the social security system and labor market.

Source – CGTN