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Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is a multiethnic country located in south-east Asia. The complexity of its ethnic composition has been one of the root causes of Myanmar's long-running unrest, long periods of military rule, and much shorter periods of democracy. The last coup occurred in February 2021, when the military alleged widespread electoral fraud in the November 2020 general elections, seized power, declared the elections invalid and arrested the de facto leader of the country, Sakharov ...

Located in south-east Asia, Indonesia is the world's fourth biggest country by population, but only 33rd among EU (European Union) trading partners, well behind even other countries in the region. Data on trade in services and on foreign direct investment (FDI) also point to untapped potential between the EU and the fifth biggest Asian economy. After almost a decade of negotiations, in September 2025 the EU and Indonesia announced the conclusion of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership ...

In October 2025, for the first time in its history, Japan elected a female prime minister. Takaichi Sanae won the race for the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and was later elected by both chambers of the National Diet (Japan's parliament). She will lead a minority government, formed in a new coalition with the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai), after Kōmeitō ended its 26-year alliance with the LDP. Takaichi, known for her hardline stance, will face numerous ...

Japan's culture of national resilience is one of the most advanced in the world. The UN-backed definition of preparedness was adopted in 2017 in Japan, a country highly exposed to natural hazards, under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Through national resilience, the country aims to prevent human loss by any means, avoid fatal damage to important functions for maintaining administration as well as social and economic systems, mitigate damage to private property and public ...

Following the visit of the College of Commissioners to New Delhi in February 2025, on 17 September the European Commission and the High Representative adopted a joint communication on a 'New Strategic EU-India Agenda'. During the October I plenary session, the High Representative will present the joint communication.

The Pacific Islands region occupies almost 15 % of the Earth's surface. The European Union (EU) recognises 15 Pacific Island Countries (PICs), mostly small developing states formed by archipelagos consisting of a large number of inhabited islands. The region includes three French Pacific Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) associated with the EU. Population dispersion and economic dependency on a narrow range of industries – particularly tourism and fishing – are common characteristics of these ...

Japan is a constitutional monarchy, with a parliamentary system of government based on the separation of powers. The Emperor is the symbol of the state and does not hold political functions, only performing ceremonial duties. Nevertheless, he can play an important diplomatic role. With Emperor Naruhito's enthronement in 2019, following his father's abdication, Japan has entered the Reiwa (beautiful harmony) era. The 2001 administrative reform strengthened the Prime Minister's leadership in the cabinet ...

The European Union (EU) is seeking to strengthen its strategic partnership with India, in place since 2004. The European Commission has given a strong signal in this direction. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in Davos that the first visit of the whole College of Commissioners to a third country would be to India, on 27 and 28 February 2025. The EU-India Trade and Technology Council will also meet. A joint communication on a new strategic EU-India agenda is expected in the second ...

India is a pluralistic, multi-faith, multilingual (with 22 recognised languages), and multi-ethnic country. In April 2023 it overtook China as the world's most populous country (it had a population of 1.44 billion in 2024). India's 1950 Constitution provides for a quasi-federal set-up, with powers separated between the central union and the 28 state governments. Competences are distributed by administrative level – between the Union (the Centre), the states, or 'concurrently'. The Prime Minister ...

Shortly after having been elected Japan's Prime Minister in September 2024, Ishiba Shigeru called elections to the house of representatives (the lower house) to be held on 27 October. The vote will follow an intensive 12-day electoral campaign, against a backdrop of scandals involving members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), rising consumer prices, staple food shortages and security concerns over regional tensions. While this may weaken the LDP's majority, a divided opposition might ...