Asia News Wrap: Heavy snow wreaks havoc in Japan, and more

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

Heavy snow kills 4, causes damage in Japan

Heavy snowfall hit Japan this week as the season's strongest cold front disrupted rail and air traffic in Japan, especially in the Tohoku northeastern region and the central prefecture of Niigata, leaving one person dead and four people seriously injured. 

The weather agency warned of more snow over the weekend. Heavy snow is forecast to affect Hokkaido and the regions along the coast of the Sea of Japan through Sunday, the Meteorological Agency said on Wednesday, due to what the agency called “the strongest cold air in several years.” All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines canceled some of their flights due to the bad weather.

Philippines declares food security emergency

The Philippines declared a food security emergency on Monday to bring down the cost of rice, which it said has stayed elevated despite lower global prices and a reduction in rice tariffs last year. The country is one of the world's largest importers of rice. The declaration will allow the government to release buffer stocks to help bring down retail prices of the national staple, Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel said in a statement, adding it would remain in effect until the price situation improves. 

Despite efforts to liberalize rice imports and reduce tariffs, the Agriculture Department said, the domestic market has been slow to respond, with retail prices surpassing expectations. It added that half of the 300,000 tonnes of buffer stock the National Food Authority holds could be released over the next six months to ensure supply for emergencies and disaster response.

Sri Lanka lifts import ban on cars

Sri Lanka has lifted its import ban on cars. Last Friday, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake issued a special gazette notification effective February 1. A week earlier, he had allowed the import of trucks and buses. However, the imports will be subject to a 50 percent surcharge on import duties. 

This has completely ended the ban on vehicle imports imposed in 2020 with the COVID-19 outbreak. The ban continued when the country suffered its worst economic crisis since independence.

Thailand cuts power to border areas linked to illegal operations in Myanmar

Thailand suspended power supply to five areas along the border in Myanmar on Wednesday as part of its effort to combat illegal operations, said Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. He said the measure aims to prevent and address issues related to illegal activities in the areas, including human trafficking, call center scams and transnational crimes that may use electricity for their operations. 

The move came after Thailand's National Security Council decided on Tuesday to cut off electricity supply to five connection points in three Myanmar states that it said were found to be used in a manner threatening the peace and security of the kingdom. 

Indonesia’s economy grows 5 percent in 2024

Indonesia’s economy grew by 5.03 percent in 2024, the slowest rate in three years, official data showed on Wednesday, raising hopes of further stimulus measures. Investment growth in 2024, at 4.61 percent year on year, was the highest in six years.

Growth in Southeast Asia's largest economy has hovered around 5 percent since the COVID-19 pandemic, far behind new President Prabowo Subianto's target of 8 percent within his term until 2029. In 2023, growth was 5.05 percent.

Last year, economic growth was propped up by spending for political campaigns and elections as well as rising investment, which offset shrinking net exports.

(Cover: Snow piles up on National Route 8 due to a cold wave in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan, February 6, 2025. /CFP)