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The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Parliamentarians are key to peace and stability in this region, says Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly
PHNOM PENH (Bernama): Parliamentarians across South-East Asia must take on a more active role in promoting diplomacy and stability amid rising geopolitical tensions. This was the key message from top speakers at the 16th Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus held in Phnom Penh, who stressed that the role of lawmakers is more crucial than ever. Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn also called on parliamentarians to champion peace and regional stability. He said that in the interconnected yet fragmented world, sustainable peace is not merely the absence of war or conflict, but the presence of justice, understanding, and inclusivity. "In an era marked by geopolitical tensions and proliferation of divisive narratives, the role of parliamentarians as bridge builders and peace makers has become more crucial today than before,' Kao said in his keynote remarks. The heads of AIPA from Asean member states and Timor-Leste are participating in the two-day event, which is being held at the National Assembly hall in the capital. "This caucus serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating true structure of dialogue, mutual respect, and sheer commitment to peaceful resolution. We can address the most complex challenges facing the region or the world,' said Kao. The theme of the meeting is 'Peace Through Dialogue: The Parliamentary Path Forward' - emphasising the role of parliamentary diplomacy in achieving peace and prosperity. Speaking at the event, Cambodia's National Assembly President Khuon Sudary said Cambodia remains fully committed to supporting Asean unity and centrality. "The roles of parliamentary diplomacy are increasingly critical in promoting regional and global peace efforts. By promoting dialogue, confidence-building measures, preventive diplomacy, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, we can contribute more to world peace. "AIPA, together with observer parliaments, needs to be more proactive and bolder in promoting parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation to shore up regional and global governance while promoting a rules-based international order,' said Sudary. - Bernama
Barnama
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Parliamentarians Key To Peace, Stability In Region, Says AIPA
By Vijian Paramasivam PHNOM PENH, July 15 (Bernama) -- Parliamentarians across Southeast Asia must take on a more active role in promoting diplomacy and stability amid rising geopolitical tensions. This was the key message from top speakers at the 16th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus held in Phnom Penh, who stressed that the role of lawmakers is more crucial than ever. ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn also called on parliamentarians to champion peace and regional stability. He said that in the interconnected yet fragmented world, sustainable peace is not merely the absence of war or conflict, but the presence of justice, understanding, and inclusivity. 'In an era marked by geopolitical tensions and proliferation of divisive narratives, the role of parliamentarians as bridge builders and peace makers has become more crucial today than before,' Kao said in his keynote remarks. The heads of AIPA from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste are participating in the two-day event, which is being held at the National Assembly hall in the capital. 'This caucus serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating true structure of dialogue, mutual respect, and sheer commitment to peaceful resolution. We can address the most complex challenges facing the region or the world,' said Kao. The theme of the meeting is 'Peace Through Dialogue: The Parliamentary Path Forward' — emphasising the role of parliamentary diplomacy in achieving peace and prosperity.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
'Ahead of other countries': Why everyone is obsessed with Japanese sunscreen
When Hannah Price set out to compare Japanese and Australian sunscreen on YouTube, she wasn't expecting her deep dive into the subject to rack up over two million views. The huge number of people poring over Price's video shows the growing interest in skincare products from Japan, much like the K-beauty phenomenon from South Korea. It includes sun protection, increasingly recognised as a daily essential by influencers who want to shield their skin from ageing and enthuse about the lightweight texture of Japanese brands. Companies that have perfected their secret formulas want to capitalise on booming demand, including by building factories overseas and selling to Japan's record influx of foreign tourists. Price, 32, fell into a "year-long rabbit hole" while making her video, learning about everything from SPF science to cultural attitudes to sun exposure. "I always loved Japanese sunscreen, since I first moved to Japan in 2012," she said, at her studio in Tokyo. "I remember trying it for the first time and thinking, 'this is so much better than anything I tried in Australia'," her home country where sun cream felt "thick, sticky, greasy". "I thought that the video would be popular... but I wasn't expecting it to reach as far" as it did, Price said. The habit of regular sunscreen use is spreading, especially among younger generations, said Takuya Wada, who works in marketing for Japanese chemical and cosmetics firm Kao. "There are no borders when it comes to obtaining information on social media, especially Instagram and TikTok," he said, adding that influencer posts have a "very large" impact on global sunscreen sales. Read more: When it comes to skincare, applying sun protection is simply non-negotiable 'Beautifully white' The global skincare market was worth more than US$115bil (approximately RM487bil) in 2024 and is expected to grow to US$194bil (RM821bil) by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights. A boom in celebrity skincare brands has contributed to the industry's growth – with A-listers like Kylie Jenner using social media to share their beauty routines, including sun protection, with hundreds of millions of followers. When it comes to sunscreen, country-specific regulations mean no single company dominates the field, as the entry barriers to new markets are higher. Kao's main sunscreen brand Biore UV is ranked 10th worldwide for sales, and second in Asia – competing with the likes of L'Oreal and Beiersdorf, and Japanese rivals such as Shiseido. The company wants sales from sun protection to reach ¥35bil (RM1.03bil) in 2027, up 1.6 times from 2023. It plans to boost overseas production by opening three new sunscreen factories, in Indonesia, Brazil and Germany. It is technically difficult to develop formulas that block the rays effectively with a smooth texture, as demanded by Japanese consumers, said Takashi Fukui, research and development director for Kao skincare products. But using scientific know-how to strike this tricky balance is what makes Kao "different from other European or American makers". In Japan, a cultural obsession with light skin dates back to the sixth century and using white powder imported from China later became a status symbol among nobility. Fair skin indicated a life away from outdoor labour and sun exposure, and an old Japanese proverb says "white skin covers the seven flaws". In the 1990s, people began using sunscreen or other cosmetics to avoid tanning – a trend dubbed "bihaku", or beautifully white. These days, Japanese women use sunscreen as everyday protection against sunspots and ageing, caused when UV rays penetrate into the skin, said Fukui. Read more: Fake it until you freckle: The trendy beauty look and how to achieve it Winter sun Tans have long been fashionable in Western countries, but awareness of skin cancer risks is rising, making sunscreen an important healthcare product there, Fukui said. One fan of Japanese brands is Thai skincare influencer Suari Tasanakulpan, who calls them "lightweight" compared to "heavy and uncomfortable" Western offerings. "There are always new technologies and innovative textures that are often ahead of other countries," the 40-year-old, who reviews sunscreens on YouTube, said. At an outlet of drugstore chain MatsukiyoCocokara in Tokyo's Shibuya district, around 90 sunscreen products are lined up on the shelves. "Sales of sunscreen is improving year on year," said Takeshi Otsuki, deputy manager of the chain's cosmetic division. "More people are using sunscreen on a daily basis these days, so their needs are becoming more diverse," he said. The number of male customers is also increasing, and Japanese sunscreens are very popular with overseas tourists who buy them in multipacks, Otsuki said. While summer is high season, sunscreen is popular year-round, because Japan has a "relatively high number of sunny days in the winter, and the sunlight hours are long". Price now uses both Japanese and Australian sunscreen, depending on the occasion. She sees the rise in education about sunscreens worldwide as a win-win situation. It "means you're going to be better protected in general, which is great for everyone", she said. – AFP
Asahi Shimbun
10-07-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Kao releases antiperspirant for Indonesian women in hijab
Kao Corp. President Yoshihiro Hasebe at an event in Jakarta on June 10 (Kota Kawano) JAKARTA--Cosmetics maker Kao Corp. has developed an antiperspirant to provide comfort for Muslim women who wear hijab in hot and humid Indonesia. Nearly 90 percent of the country's population of about 280 million are Muslims. Many Indonesian women wear hijab when they go out, but they feel discomfort due to sweating under the traditional head covering. Located on the equator, the Southeast Asian country has sweltering weather throughout the year. Kao President Yoshihiro Hasebe revealed the new antiperspirant at an event on June 10 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the company's subsidiary in Jakarta. The product contains new technology that accelerates the drying of perspiration, according to Kao. The company began developing the product after its hijab-wearing local employees said they were troubled by sweating. Kao also conducted a survey on hijab wearers in their 20s and 30s before releasing the product. The company has set up factories and a research center in Indonesia. Its face-wash and other skincare products offered under the flagship Biore brand are popular in the country. 'Indonesia has a large volume of customers and is an important region for our global operations,' Hasebe said, adding that Kao intends to expand sales in the country. According to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), about 2,100 Japanese companies were operating in Indonesia in 2022.
The Star
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Asean secretary-general urges stronger cruise tourism ties with India
JAKARTA: (Bernama) Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn has outlined actions to be taken under the Asean-India Tourism Work Plan 2023-2027 to advance cruise tourism cooperation between the two regions. Speaking virtually from Jakarta during the Asean-India Cruise Dialogue 2025 held in Chennai on Monday (June 30), he said the initiative provides a timely platform to deepen maritime tourism and strengthen regional connectivity. "The Cruise Dialogue offers a strategic platform to translate our shared aspirations into action. By working together, we can develop initiatives that link heritage, culture, and communities across our coastal regions,' he said in a video message released by the Asean Secretariat. Kao outlined several priorities under the work plan, including the development of integrated cruise circuits, enhancement of port infrastructure with digital systems, and promotion of joint investments in cruise-related services. He emphasised capacity-building in cruise operations and hospitality, especially targeting youth and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and called for stronger coordination through the Asean Task Force on Tourism and Transport. Sustainability was also a key theme, with calls to protect marine ecosystems, improve climate resilience, and harness digital platforms to enhance passenger experiences and operational coordination. "These areas of cooperation reflect the potential for Asean and India to lead in sustainable and inclusive cruise tourism,' Kao said, noting India's US$5 million contribution to the Asean-India Fund as a vital support mechanism. With over 40 cruise destinations in Asean and major port upgrades underway, he said the sector is emerging as a strategic growth area. The dialogue was held as part of the Asean-India Year of Tourism aimed at strengthening tourism ties between the two regions. Travel between Asean and India has been growing, with about 5.88 million Indian tourists visiting Asean last year and 660,000 visitors from Asean countries travelling to India, Kao added. - Bernama
