Op-Ed: PM designated Fumio Kishida for a new Japan

13 Sept 09:52 Key points summarised by AI

Fumio Kishida, designated as Japan's 100th Prime Minister, is highly regarded in Thailand for his pivotal role in 2014, where he saved Thailand-Japan relations by advocating for continued engagement post-coup.
His leadership style, characterized by a youthful demeanor and approachable personality, is anticipated to garner public support and ignite aspirations for tackling Japan's pandemic and economic challenges.
While maintaining Japan's core foreign policies and alliances, Kishida's premiership offers a new opportunity to mend strained ties with China and South Korea, and is expected to further strengthen engagement with ASEAN.
Kishida plans to adapt lessons from "Abenomics" to reduce income inequality, stimulate spending, and boost public confidence, signaling a focus on domestic economic revitalization.

Uthenthawai students and alumni declare truce with Pathumwan rivals

Yesterday 20:34 Key points summarised by AI

Uthenthawai students and alumni have pledged to cease violent clashes with Pathumwan Institute rivals, coinciding with their campus's reopening after a 90-day closure.
The Minister of Higher Education is mediating the long-running conflict, while the campus closure has significantly disrupted in-person classes and laboratory work for over 1,000 students.
Uthenthawai resists relocation from its current site, citing a historical land grant from King Rama VI, despite Chulalongkorn University's plans to reclaim the land for an educational hub.
Concerns are mounting over the legality of the campus closure, its detrimental impact on uninvolved students, and the potential commercial development of the land, which critics argue contradicts the late King Rama VI's intentions.