Big Take Asia

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a historic election win, positioning her as the nation’s strongest leader in the postwar era.
On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, host Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Sakura Murakami to discuss the reaction to Takaichi’s election gamble, her vision for a more assertive Japan and the uphill battle she faces to deliver her ambitious agenda.
Read more: Takaichi Triumphs With Japan's Biggest Post-War Election Victory
Further listening: All Eyes on Japan and China Tensions After Taiwan
Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and Yang Yang; Reported by Sakura Murakami; Edited by Paddy Hirsch;Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa and Alex Sugiura.Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.
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This week, the US and India announced a surprise new trade deal that slashes tariffs on Indian goods. It has one major possible catch: a commitment from India to stop buying cheap Russian oil — which will be easier said than done.
On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, Bloomberg’s Sudhi Ranjan Sen joins host Oanh Ha to break down the deal and explain what it means for India’s economy and its relationships with the US, Russia and China.
Read more:
Trump’s Surprise Trade Deal With India Resets Fractured Ties - Bloomberg
Further listening:
India Wanted to Become The World’s Toymaker. Then Tariffs Happened
India Won’t Stop Buying Russian Oil. Now It’s Paying the Price.
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Four years after Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis, its booming market is at a crossroads. Initial high hopes for a tourism surge and a billion-dollar industry have been replaced by an oversupply of shops and a fierce public backlash.
On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Patpicha Tanakasempipat about what went wrong and whether the industry can weather a political firestorm.
Read more: Weed Backlash Grows in Thailand as Kids Turn to Cannabis

Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Yang Yang, Naomi Ng; Reported by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Edited by Paddy Hirsch, Julia Weaver
Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa
Senior Producer Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer Julia Weaver; Executive Producer Nicole Beemsterboer
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From sinking Treasuries to global selloffs, the turmoil in Japan’s bond market is being felt far beyond its borders.
On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s Ruth Carson to unpack what’s rattled international investors and why markets are still on tenterhooks.
Read more: Japan Bond Crash Unleashes a $7 Trillion Risk for Global Markets
Further listening: The Dollar’s Dominance Is Unwinding in Asia
Carry Trades, Explained
Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by: Naomi Ng, Yang Yang; Reported by Ruth Carson; Edited by Paddy Hirsch, Julia Weaver;
Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa;
Senior Producer Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer Julia Weaver; Executive Producer Nicole Beemsterboer
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Japan is home to the world’s oldest population and a growing share of the country’s financial assets – about $2 trillion – are controlled by seniors who are showing signs of cognitive decline.
On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks with Bloomberg’s Alice French about the staggering “dementia money” at risk, the toll of frozen accounts and the haphazard solutions that serve as a stark warning to the rest of the world.
Read more: Japan's 'Dementia Money' Problem Puts Trillions at Risk - Bloomberg
Further listening:
The Rise of Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ and Its Political Shift to the Right
Hosted by Produced by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Reported by Alice French, Kentaro Tsutsumi; Edited by Patrich Hirsch, Emma O’Brien; Fact-checking by Yang Yang, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer
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