Asia News Wrap: Indonesia wants more local parts in phones, and more

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

Indonesia calls for more local components in smartphones 

Indonesia plans to increase the requirements for local components in smartphones made and sold in the country, its deputy industry minister said on Tuesday, a move aimed at boosting the domestic manufacturing sector. 

The plan follows Indonesia's banning sales of Apple's iPhone 16 last month after it failed to meet a requirement that smartphones sold domestically must comprise at least 40 percent locally made parts. Apple has since made a $100 million investment proposal to build an accessory and component plant to reverse the ban, but the government has rejected that on the grounds it did not meet the principle of fairness. Deputy Minister Faisol Reza said the government was still discussing the details and gave no time frame.

Tokyo plans four-day workweek

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to introduce a four-day workweek starting April next year. The Japanese capital is joining a growing number of local governments introducing similar measures to improve working conditions amid a labor shortage. 

Governor Yuriko Koike emphasized the importance of flexible work styles, especially for women, during a policy speech on Tuesday at a Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly session. "We will continue to review work styles flexibly to ensure that women do not have to sacrifice their careers due to life events such as childbirth or childrearing," she said.

China launches new group of satellites

China sent a new group of satellites into space on Thursday from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province. 

Launched at 12:41 p.m. aboard a modified Long March-6 carrier rocket, the satellite group, the third batch that will constitute the Spacesail Constellation, entered the preset orbits successfully. The launch marks the 550th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

Singaporean PM becomes leader of ruling party

Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday succeeded Lee Hsien Loong as the leader of the ruling People's Action Party, completing the party's leadership transition from the third generation to the fourth. Senior Minister and former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will remain on the party's highest decision-making body as a member. 

Lee is the son of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father and first prime minister. Wong will lead the party into the next general election, which must be held by November 2025.

(Cover: New Apple iPhone 16 models on display at an Apple Store in Los Angeles, California. September 20, 2024. /CFP)