Compiled by ALLSION LAI, SALMA FAIRUS IZDIHAR and R. ARAVINTHAN
PRIME Minister Sanae Takaichi has sparked a “fandom” online.
Chatter about her image breaking from Japan’s usual political tone has drawn wide media attention, Nanyang Siang Pau reported.
Interest has surged since she took office on Oct 21 and formed her Cabinet.
Many young Japanese call her “Sana”, echoing “Sanae”.
An interview where she said she likes Korean seaweed, uses Korean cosmetics and watches Korean dramas further boosted her appeal, spurring curiosity about her make-up.
Sales spiked for her pink Uni Jetstream pen and Hamano black handbag; Hamano even apologised for delays.
Japanese outlet Lasisa’s editorial team says the “Sanae” phenomenon could evolve from celebrity-style fandom into a broader interest in politics and the challenges women face at work.
> Oriental Daily reported that a routine trip to Semarang, Indonesia, turned into a harrowing experience for a Malaysian man, who claimed he was subjected to hours of scrutiny after officials flagged numerous Thai entry stamps in his passport.
He said his phone was searched, he was told to strip, took a urine test and underwent a hospital X-ray; his Telegram and WhatsApp chats were also checked.
Cleared eventually, he got his passport back and officers arranged a ride to his hotel and covered part of the costs, calling it “security procedure”.
Posting on Threads as @mreetrav88, he thinks the Thai stamps and his haggard look sparked suspicions of him being a drug mule.
> China Press reported that the romance of Leah Dou Jingtong, 28, the daughter of Faye Wong and Dou Wei, appears to be out in the open after she and Grade One Freshman actress Cecilia Song Yanfei, 30, were filmed on a late night date and walking a dog hand-in-hand affectionately.
In the footage, the pair were seen leaving a restaurant with friends; Dou reaching out and Song taking her hand.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
