Welcome to Your Week in Asia.
Fresh off calling for a “redefining” of ties with Japan in an independence day speech, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung heads to Tokyo for talks as the two countries wrestle with the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Also in Japan, relations between Asia and Africa will be in focus during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). Japan is expected to announce an investment push in the continent in tandem with countries such as India.
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MONDAY
U.S.-South Korea military drills
The U.S. and South Korea will hold their annual military drills, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield. About 18,000 South Korean soldiers will take part in the live-fire exercises amid North Korea’s warnings of reprisals for what it says is a “direct military provocation.”
Data: Thailand gross domestic product
TUESDAY
Data: Malaysia trade
WEDNESDAY
Africa conference in Japan
TICAD, an international conference focusing on African development, will be held in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, for three days until Friday. The ninth edition of the event features over 200 seminars and symposiums, as well as approximately 300 booths and panel displays.
Thailand electronics trade show
The Thailand Electronics Circuit Asia 2025 trade show kicks off in Bangkok. The three-day event will bring together hundreds of companies from across the tech supply chain, with a major focus on printed circuit boards, a key component used in all types of electronic devices.
Taiwan robot show
The Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robot Show opens in Taipei. Exhibitors at the four-day fair will show off the latest advances in smart manufacturing, robotics, artificial intelligence and more.
Earnings: Baidu
THURSDAY
Data: India purchasing managers index
FRIDAY
Ruling in Thaksin lese majeste case
Thailand’s Criminal Court is due to hand down its verdict on former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a lese majeste case. The 75-year-old Thaksin is accused of insulting the monarchy during an interview with the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo in May 2015.
South Korea’s opposition People Power Party elects new leader
Data: Malaysia consumer price index
Earnings: China Vanke
SATURDAY
Lee visits Japan for summit
South Korea’s President Lee will make his first overseas trip for a bilateral summit when he travels to Tokyo to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. While the neighboring nations are historical rivals and Lee has a track record of criticizing Japan, both are export-led economies seeking solutions to the steep tariffs imposed by America. After his Japan trip, Lee will head to Washington for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Taiwan nuclear power referendum
Taiwan holds a referendum on whether to restart its Maanshan nuclear power plant, the shutdown of which marked the end of the island’s atomic energy era in May. The opposition Taiwan People’s Party pushed for the vote on the grounds that reactivation is necessary for energy stability and security. President Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party has said he will vote “no.” The referendum coincides with a handful of districts voting in recall elections against opposition Kuomintang lawmakers, after a larger first set of recall attempts all failed.
