Japanese prime minister set to meet South Korean president | East Asia Tonight 18 May 2026

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to visit South Korea for a two-day summit with President Lee Jae Myung. Also on East Asia Tonight, Iran officially announces a new body to manage the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, China's growth loses momentum at the start of the second quarter.

00:00 Introduction
01:55 South Korea's Lee, Japan's Takaichi to meet on 19 May
05:31 Iran announces body to manage Strait of Hormuz
07:01 A look at China's role in managing Middle East tensions with Astrid Nordin
13:55 China's economy slows sharply in April
16:42 Australia orders China-linked investors to sell stakes in rare earths firm
20:41 Japan likely to issue fresh debt to fund new stimulus package
21:55 Samsung Electronics and union hold talks to avert strike
25:52 China to buy at least US$17 billion in American agricultural products annually: White House
27:18 Key takeaways from Trump-Xi summit with CNA's Si Hui and Rebecca Metteo
38:45 Deep dive into consumer trend reshaping China's 'loneliness economy' with CNA's Krystal Chia