Asia News Wrap: Japanese dietary supplement causes 5 deaths, and more

Here are a few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week.

An over-the-counter Japanese dietary supplement was withdrawn this week after it is said to have possibly caused the death of five people and the hospitalization of more than 100. The over-the-counter products contain an ingredient called red yeast rice, or "beni koji," which is supposed to help lower cholesterol. 

The Japan Times reported that the "Osaka-based company said that one of the…individuals who died had ordered packages of its supplement called Beni Koji Koresute Herupu, roughly translated as beni kо̄ji cholesterol supplement, on a regular basis from April 2021 to February 2024. The individual died of acute kidney failure last month." On Friday, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical voluntarily recalled all of its products that contain beni kо̄ji, citing health hazards possibly linked to the ingredient. 

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in parliament that "after the cause is identified, the government will examine what measures are necessary to prevent similar incidents." He was responding to an opposition politician who had urged him to revise safety frameworks that were relaxed under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Medical professors in South Korea have cut back on the hours they spend in practice, starting on Monday, to support trainee doctors who have been on strike for more than a month over a government plan to boost medical school admissions. 

"It is clear that increasing medical school admissions will not only ruin medical school education but cause our country's healthcare system to collapse," Kim Chang-soo, the president of the Medical Professors Association of Korea, told reporters. He said the professors will start scaling back outpatient treatment to focus on emergency and severely ill patients, while some will submit their resignations.

Chinese electric vehicle makers showcased their latest models this week in Thailand, including a flying car, as they took on global rivals at the Bangkok International Motor Show that started this week. 

Companies like BYD, XPeng and Great Wall Motors are selling fast in Thailand, challenging longstanding market leaders like Toyota, Isuzu and Ford, as they expand exports across the globe. BYD sold 30,650 electric vehicles in Thailand last year, followed by 12,777 sold by Neta. They were trailed by Tesla, British brand MG and Chinese car maker Great Wall Motor.

Malaysia is unrolling emergency measures to deal with a heat wave, after temperatures came close to 40 degrees Celsius and took the life of a 22-year-old, who died of heatstroke. Almost half of Malaysia has been experiencing peaks of at least 35 degrees Celsius for three straight days this week, according to data from the Meteorological Department, which expects the hot and dry spell to last until mid-April. 

The Straits Times reported that "Malaysia is employing drones to survey peatlands susceptible to catching fire, and monitoring dwindling water levels in dams, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said in an interview on March 26. The government will also look into ways to protect construction workers who toil for hours under the hot sun."

(Cover: Sachets of the recalled Beni Koji Choleste that has been linked the death of at least five people in Japan, March 28, 2024. /Photo courtesy Kobayashi Pharmaceutical)