Ear to Asia

by Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

Politics Society & Culture

Season 1

Anxiety and aspiration in Japan-China relations

For Japan, China is both its largest trading partner and its greatest strategic threat. And while Tokyo has garnered admiration for how it walks the line between its ally Washington and Beijing, it’s now set to draw up a new defence strategy with China likely top of mind. So what has the Xi Jinping era meant for bilateral ties? And how much of the shared history between China and Japan remains a factor today? Richard McGregor, veteran journalist on East Asia and Lowy Institute senior fellow, joins presenter Ali Moore to ask what China and Japan really want from one another. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Beyond Squid Game: Translating Asian film and TV for a hungry global market

The South Korean mega-hit Squid Game is but one example of an ever growing pool of Asian video content riding the boom in streaming services to a global audience. And while translations are key to bridging the language divide, what are the factors that make for a good translation? Will fan-based translation and artificial intelligence make trained human translators redundant? Translation studies expert Assoc Prof Ester Leung and linguist Dr Sunyoung Oh discuss the art and business of translating Asian film and television with host Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Decision making and dissent in the Chinese Communist Party

China’s Communist Party is known to prize loyalty and conformity among its more than 90 million members. If good policies are forged through deliberation and debate, how does the CCP handle the weighing of opinions, counter-proposals and objections while ensuring ideological purity? And how does a party member of good will conscientiously object? Dr Chris Buckley, chief China correspondent for The New York Times, examines decision-making and dissent in the Party with presenter Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Growing the Australia-India relationship

As Australia’s relationship with China continues to sour, it should come as no surprise that Canberra is bolstering security ties with New Delhi. Additionally, the two governments are working hard to forge a comprehensive trade agreement. But is a mutual suspicion of Beijing a sound basis for closer ties? What are the real issues that bind -- and separate -- India and Australia? And who will be the winners and losers of any bilateral free-trade deal? Australia-India Institute CEO the Hon. Lisa Singh and political scientist Dr Pradeep Taneja scrutinise the evolving Australia-India relationship with presenter Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists Music by audionautix.com.

Was Donald Trump on the money about China?

As US president, Donald Trump rewrote the rule book for dealing with China, breaking norms enshrined in bilateral relations since the days of Richard Nixon. Yet even Trump’s harshest critics have since warmed to his assertive, unconventional approach to Beijing, and there’s now recognition that there is no return to the China policy of old. But was this radical reshaping really down to Trump, or was it somehow inevitable given China's inexorable rise as an economic and military power? Professor of American Politics Timothy Lynch examines Trump’s China legacy with presenter Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Indonesia's evolving post-pandemic political landscape

Despite being well into his final term as Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo continues his coalition building, and retains the backing of political and business elites. And, while critics point to poor pandemic management and eroding democracy under his watch, Jokowi remains very popular with ordinary Indonesians. So why is Jokowi still actively amassing political capital, and how does his actual agenda compare to the social and political reform he's promised voters? Indonesia watchers Prof Tim Lindsey and Dr Ian Wilson examine Indonesia’s current political landscape with host Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Weighing up the legacy of Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte

For many, outgoing Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte will be remembered for his call for the extra-judicial killings of alleged drug dealers. He's also gone after his critics in the media, the judiciary, and the legislature. But despite his apparent excesses, Duterte remains popular with ordinary Filipinos. What's been the basis for his enduring popularity? And what are the long term consequences of his attacks on the nation’s democratic institutions? Philippines historian Dr Lisandro Claudio discusses the legacy of Duterte with presenter Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Intimate connections and exit strategies in a changing Japan

In Japan, the norms of human connection and physical intimacy are evolving, with arranged marriages on the wane, and defacto relationships and same-sex unions no longer rare. As the nature of unions changes, so is the practice of parting, with increases in late-life and women-initiated divorces. What’s driving these societal changes in Japan? How are Japan’s legislators responding? Gender studies specialist Assoc Prof Claire Maree and cultural anthropologist Assoc Prof Allison Alexy join presenter Ali Moore to discuss the transformation of the Japanese family unit. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

The political battle over health policy in Indonesia

What's at stake and who are the stakeholders in steering health policy in Indonesia? While the right to health for all Indonesians has been embraced by progressive, populist and technocratic political forces in recent years, oligarchic elites with ties to business and the military are now reemerging to thwart further improvements in healthcare for ordinary people. Political economist Prof Andrew Rosser and public policy specialist Dr Luky Djani join presenter Peter Clarke to examine the politics of healthcare in Indonesia. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Law and disorder in China-Australia relations

While relations between China and Australia have been on a protracted downward spiral, with on-the-ground issues continuing to hamper bilateral ties, how much of the impasse is down to a mutually poor grasp of the opposite number? China legal veteran Dr Andrew Godwin and China political scientist Assoc Prof Delia Lin make the case that an appreciation of how concepts of law and justice differ between Australia and China may help get relations onto a better footing. With presenter Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by profactual.com. Music by audionautix.com.

8 of 18