AGP Executive Report

Publishing & Media (Asia): India’s J&K school book row escalates as BJP and civil society demand probes into a textbook accused of glorifying separatists, while CBFC-related claims around Salman Khan’s “Maatrubhumi” are denied by the producer. AI & Books/Translation: A new discussion highlights the limits of AI in literary translation—especially poetry—where culture and “worlding” matter. Digital Platforms & Security (India): KheloYaar, WOLF777, and WinAdda roll out enhanced login/identity verification guidance, pushing safer account access and user education. Gaming/Pop Culture (Japan): Capcom signals broader Mega Man plans for its 40th anniversary, and Nintendo’s June eShop charts crown Star Fox on Switch 2. Anime (Japan): “Black Torch” episode 1 gets a spotlight, while “Full Clearing Another World…” and “Loner Life in Another World” announce anime updates and a second season. Sports & Reading Culture (Asia): Hyderabad’s H-FAST reports 185 food-adulteration cases in 100 days; plus local reading initiatives and book-club festival coverage keep the spotlight on community literacy.

China-Sri Lanka Publishing Diplomacy: Sri Lanka hosted an event promoting the fifth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, with speakers calling it an “authoritative” guide to Xi Thought and a bridge for deeper China–Sri Lanka cooperation. Book Design Spotlight (India): Bena Sareen won the Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize for Amitava Kumar’s My Beloved Life (Aleph Book Company), using her long career at Penguin India and Aleph to talk about tactile-first cover design and the growing pressure of AI in publishing. Digital-First Media Shift (Japan): Sony says it will stop producing physical PlayStation game discs from January 2028, moving new releases to digital-only formats. AI Governance Check (Singapore & Hong Kong): A mid-year legal update finds both jurisdictions leaning on risk-based controls, testing/assurance, cybersecurity and sector oversight rather than a single AI law. Conservation & Culture (Vietnam): Research and a workshop update conservation planning for Vietnam’s critically endangered black-shanked douc langur on Ba Den Mountain. Manga/Anime Release (Japan): Netflix debuts Daemons of the Shadow Realm (Arakawa’s new anime) with a Cour 2 premiere on July 4.

World Cup & Sports Publishing: Japan booked a Second Round berth in the 2027 Asian Qualifiers after a 92-73 win over China, setting up a July 6 clash with Korea in Goyang. Humanities & Language: A Gwangju arts reporter reflects on the Korean word “yoonseul,” arguing that naming can deepen memory and nuance even when perception comes first. Worker Co-ops & Regional Development: Kerala’s Uralungal Labor Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS), founded in 1925, is profiled as an infrastructure-and-IT success built on trust and mechanisation. China Policy & Rights: A Tibetan man died after self-immolating outside the UN in New York, protesting China’s “ethnic unity” law; critics warn it accelerates assimilation. Publishing & Books in Asia: Kodansha announced a deluxe English reissue of Tezuka’s Phoenix for Spring 2027, with restored art and new introductions. Media Industry: AP says it will build an India production hub to expand video/photo capacity, drawing union criticism over outsourcing and job losses. Digital Safety & Books/Media Ecosystems: GoDaddy warns India’s fake-site crackdown could make the internet less safe for legitimate businesses.

Haruki Murakami’s New Novel: Japan’s midnight launch for “The Tale of KAHO” spotlights Murakami’s first full-length novel with a lone female protagonist, with fans lining up at Kinokuniya and Shinchosha positioning it as a family-focused, surreal-realism shift. Hong Kong Book Resistance: Lam Wing-kee, the Causeway Bay Books figure detained by China in 2015 and later rebuilding his bookstore in Taipei, has died at 70 in Taiwan, remembered by Taiwan’s president for defending free speech. Manga Publishing Deals: BluPetal announced English print and digital releases for Masashi Kumamoto’s “Last Heaven” and Raika Suzumi’s “The Black World is Dyed in White Chalk,” plus a marketing partnership for Kaiohsha’s Gush Comics and a new subscription platform. Malaysia AIGC for Creators: Omirol launched in Kuala Lumpur as Southeast Asia’s first native AIGC creation ecosystem, backed by China’s V Valley industrial chain, aiming to build a China–Malaysia AI landscape for digital content. India Preventive Detention Debate: A new discussion piece examines why India’s Constitution allows preventive detention, using recent Punjab law proposals and past cases to question safeguards. Robotic Mowers Go “Setup-Free”: Lawnova unveiled a second-generation AI robotic mower lineup at spoga+gafa, pushing boundary setup-free outdoor automation.

Indonesia literary push: The Culture Ministry says its National Talent Management (MTN) program is strengthening the country’s “literary ecosystem” from publishing to festivals, distributing 3,225 works via 35 community hubs and supporting 7,500 literary talents in 2025. South Korea telecom pivot: KT plans to double digital-services sales to $10bn by 2025 and is weighing a separate listing for its cloud unit as it tries to outgrow telecom headwinds. India middle-class squeeze: July 1 rule changes raise passport fees, tighten EPFO advance withdrawals, and extend free Aadhaar updates—framed as modernization but criticized as shifting costs onto salaried workers. Citizenship language fight: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat calls post-Partition migrants “warriors,” not “refugees,” a move seen as reshaping the moral framing behind India’s citizenship debate. Publishing & culture: A new book on Japan’s anime revolution spotlights 20 films that changed global culture, while Fantasia’s 30th festival announces a final wave of titles for its July 16–Aug 2 run. Security & scams: Delhi Police warns of fake helicopter-ticket fraud targeting Uttarakhand pilgrims, with arrests linked to cyber operations.

Singapore Aviation & Food: Qantas is adding Wing Seong Fatty’s iconic Cantonese dishes to its Changi Airport lounges after the restaurant’s closure, with a farewell dinner and a photo-and-message book for the Au family. Singapore Biotech: Island Pharmaceuticals won a Singapore patent for ISLA-101’s use against flaviviruses, expanding protection beyond dengue to include chikungunya until April 2034. Vietnam Media Rules: Vietnam’s new Decree 262/2026/ND-CP (effective July 1) tightens approvals for foreign media activities, online publishing compliance, and coordination with provincial authorities. Korea Travel & Wellness: Korea Beauty Festival coverage highlights a shift from cosmetics shopping to clinic visits, scalp treatments, and wellness-led tourism. India Publishing & Culture: A Telugu book, Missionary Mayajaalam, was launched in Hyderabad, framing Christian missionary activity as part of India’s civilisational narrative debate. IP & Higher Ed (Asia): Chulalongkorn University president Wilert Puriwat was elected head of the Asian Universities Alliance for 2027–2029. Books & Publishing (China): Türkiye promoted Xi Jinping: The Governance of China volume five as a guide to China’s governance and modernization. Tech & Business (Asia): Kotak Mahindra Bank’s planned acquisition of Deutsche Bank India’s retail/wealth business is positioned as a boost to affluent banking and fee income rather than balance-sheet expansion.

Publishing & kids’ media: PBS Kids unveiled a new back-to-school slate led by The Day You Begin, adapting Jacqueline Woodson’s National Book Award-winning book into a self-acceptance story. Sports & culture: Shueisha Games announced Wild Wild Eden and Round1/ONE PIECE confirmed a first-ever simultaneous U.S.-Japan collaboration launch. Books & publishing industry: A major Marvel shift is underway as Shueisha ends its Marvel manga publishing deal with Disney, with licensed titles set to discontinue. Business & infrastructure (India): JSW Infrastructure completed a ₹7,503 crore QIP, while Solarium Green Energy reported an order book of ₹852.28 crore—both signals of continued capital appetite in India’s growth sectors. Tech & security: A fake Polymarket trading bot spread malware via malicious npm packages, highlighting ongoing risks for developers. Economy (India): HSBC’s India manufacturing PMI eased to 54.2 in June as demand cooled, with weaker export growth and hiring momentum.

Ambience Tourism in Malaysia: Homestays are rising fast as travellers chase atmosphere over checklists, with Malaysia’s domestic homestay share jumping from 3.4% (2022) to 8.6% (2024) and Visit Malaysia Year 2026 projecting up to RM200m for the sector. Indonesia Market Reform: The Indonesia Stock Exchange rolled out a stronger market transparency framework with KPEI/KSEI and OJK support, expanding public access to shareholding and free-float data. Pakistan Tragedy: A tuition centre roof collapse in Lahore killed 14 children; authorities say the site was unregistered and are weighing negligence. Beijing for Visitors: Beijing upgraded its English map and launched “GO BEIJING” plus a refreshed international web portal to make services easier for foreigners. Rural India Cash Push: Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu disbursed ₹2,482 crore to about 42 lakh farmers under Rythu Bharosa, signalling rural political momentum. Power Finance Deal: PFC and REC approved a merger creating a financing giant with a combined loan book over ₹11 lakh crore. AI & Creativity Debate: Commentary argues AI is blurring authorship and raises existential questions for writers and creators. K-pop Crossovers: AtHeart’s “Say It” leans on nostalgia by interpolating The Cardigans’ “Lovefool,” aiming for another global crossover moment.

World Cup Shock (Brazil-Japan): Substitute Gabriel Martinelli struck in the 95th minute as Brazil beat Japan 2-1 in Houston to book a last-16 spot, after Kaishu Sano had stunned Japan with a solo goal and Casemiro equalised for Brazil. Commonwealth Short Story Prize (AI dispute): Trinidadian writer Jamir Nazir won the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize overall for “The Serpent in the Grove,” after earlier AI-plagiarism accusations tied to the story’s “Did AI write this?” controversy. Publishing Policy (EU tariff pressure): UK book trade bodies urged an “urgent” exemption from new EU €3 customs duties on small parcels, warning the change could hit smaller independent publishers’ access to European markets. India Biodiversity (new species): India recorded 483 new faunal species in 2025, with Kerala leading (98), as ZSI’s “Animal Discoveries” update adds hundreds of new records to the national database. India Health Tech (digital care access): Union Health Minister JP Nadda launched the Unified Health Interface under ABDM to let citizens discover, book, and access verified healthcare across multiple apps via open protocols. Maharashtra Publishing (government book portal): Maharashtra approved an online and counter “book store” portal for state government publications, enabling nationwide doorstep delivery via India Post. Cross-Straits Culture (Straits Forum): The 18th Straits Forum in Xiamen highlighted grassroots ties, including shared village heritage and lantern-festival sugarcane rituals across the Taiwan Straits. Tech & Media (Substack UK payers): Substack revealed its top UK newsletters by paying subscribers, with finance-led titles dominating and Substack expanding its UK bestseller-style list.

Capital Markets: India’s TANFAC Industries raised ₹250 crore via a Qualified Institutional Placement, its first equity raise in over three decades, to expand high-value refrigerant gases and fluorochemical products. Tourism & Mobility: With monsoon season easing India’s heat, Indian pilgrims and tourists are still pouring into Nepal in Asar, with 2,000–3,000 Indian-plated vehicles entering daily. Tech Leadership: Apple’s CEO handover is set for 1 September as Tim Cook becomes executive chairman and hardware chief John Ternus takes over, marking a new era in the company’s long CEO lineage. Health Tech & Policy: India launched the Unified Health Interface under ABDM to let patients discover, book and access verified care across apps using ABHA and provider registries. Publishing & Public Life: China issued an action plan to revitalize rural libraries by upgrading existing reading rooms and improving service quality, while urging local governments to avoid “showcase” projects. Sports (World Cup): Brazil edged Japan 2-1 with a late Martinelli strike to reach the last 16, while Germany’s campaign ended after a VAR-disallowed extra-time goal helped Paraguay win on penalties.

Nuclear Safety Watch: China’s nuclear reactors logged about 130 irregular shutdowns from 2011-2024, tied to glitches and human error, with regulators citing dozens of trouble incidents even after Fukushima-era safety upgrades. Literary Spotlight: UAE-based Booker-shortlisted author Avni Doshi’s second novel The First House digs into the “myths” we build around marriage—and the survival strategy of not knowing. Korean Culture & Nature: Trumpet vines (neungsohwa) are turning into a summer “experience” in South Korea, boosted by viral symbolism and seasonal rituals around their dramatic blooms. Publishing & Events: Pakistan’s SECP approved 10 IPOs in H1 2026, with nine raising over Rs20bn—an indicator of capital-market momentum for listed companies. Tech for Creators: Wix’s Base44 is launching its own large language model to reduce reliance on third-party AI and cut costs for users. Language Access in Elections: Telangana HC told India’s Election Commission to consider printing SIR forms in Urdu for Hyderabad’s Urdu-speaking voters. Books & Community: Mysuru Literature Festival returns July 4-5 with major authors and book releases, spotlighting mythology, multilingual writing, and AI.

Hong Kong Governance Crackdown: Human Rights Watch says Beijing has fully reengineered Hong Kong’s national security system into a standing principle, with accountability further weakened after the 2020 law. India Power Finance Deal: Power Finance Corporation and REC got board approval for a merger creating an INR 11 lakh crore loan book, with an 88:100 share exchange ratio. Thailand Reading Push: Chiang Mai Book Fair 2026 returns (June 26–July 5) with 210+ publishers and family-friendly storytelling and contests. India Memoir Spotlight: “Shaurya: A Father’s Promise” chronicles a family’s fight after a rare disease diagnosis, turning private struggle into public advocacy. MedTech Security Warning: Blue Goat Cyber highlights how cybersecurity, compliance shortcuts, and weak teams can quietly derail connected MedTech deals at LSI Asia. Cambodia Heritage Theft: A new look at how stolen Cambodian artifacts ended up in major museums renews pressure for repatriation. China–Greece Publishing Bridge: China Translation and Publishing House and Greece’s KAKTOS launch an international editorial department at Beijing’s book fair. Book Censorship in Vietnam: A Hồ Chí Minh-related title triggers recalls, fines, and suspensions, underscoring state control of historical narratives. Pacific Representation in Design: A New Zealand scholar argues Aotearoa needs more Pacific voices in architecture to better reflect Pacific ways of living.

World Cup Knockouts (Asia-Pacific angle): The Round of 32 kicks off with South Africa vs Canada in Los Angeles, a first-ever knockout meeting for both sides, with Canada hoping for a fit Alphonso Davies and South Africa riding momentum after their shock win over South Korea. Women’s Cricket (India): Bangladesh’s Women’s T20 World Cup run ends with a four-wicket loss to South Africa at Lord’s, while India face a must-win against Australia to keep semi-final hopes alive. Animation & Publishing (Southeast Asia): Singapore’s “The Violinist” wins big at Annecy (Cristal for best feature), spotlighting the region’s animation talent for a global audience. Constitutional Politics (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe’s Senate approves amendments extending Mnangagwa’s rule to 2030 and shifting presidential election power to Parliament, a setback for anti-authoritarian efforts. Tech & AI (India): Analysts warn Indian IT FY27 guidance could be cut as GenAI-driven deflation and shifting enterprise spending cloud demand. Cybersecurity (China): A report says Chinese tools are closing in on US AI-led cyber capabilities, intensifying the tech-security race. Reading Culture (China): Kunming expands public bookstore spaces, with weekend footfall showing growing local appetite for reading.

Regional Food Culture: India’s monsoon mornings spark seven distinct breakfast traditions—pakoda/bhajiyas, medu vada, pithapitha, khichuri, poha, dal pakwan, and akki rotti—each shaped by local rain, ingredients, and cooking techniques. Publishing & Language Politics: India’s “name changing” debate and the wider “English in India” argument resurface around decolonisation vs neo-colonialism, with NCERT’s Class 9 Emergency chapter also adding fuel to language-and-memory fights. Singapore–China Trade in Books & Design: Singaporeans increasingly book trips to Foshan, China’s furniture hub, showing how consumer culture and sourcing networks are reshaping travel decisions. China Tax Crackdown: Beijing tightens oversight of overseas income via retroactive-style “self-review” checks, raising concerns for taxpayers and cross-border earners. Finance & Lending: India’s gold-loan market gets a regulatory boost as RBI raises loan-to-value limits, while analysts stress-test downside risks. World Cup as Media Content: Round of 32 matchups are set, with Brazil vs Japan among the headline ties—another reminder of how sport drives publishing and advertising attention. Book Industry Spotlight: Hyatt expands luxury all-inclusives with Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt debuts in Mexico.

Publishing & Books: A new wave of horror is turning “female cannibals” into feminist rage figures, with recent novels like Monika Kim’s The Eyes are the Best Part and Sayaka Murata’s Earthlings spotlighting women who eat back against male desire. Anime & Manga: Kill Blue’s TV anime has been renewed for a second season, with Viz handling the manga digitally and in print. Author Spotlight: Yōhei Kameyama discusses Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express, a YouTube-born short-form hit that earned a Japan theatrical run. Book Culture: A rare-volume bookstore in Idaho highlights how antiquarian finds can carry deep historical links—turning shelves into living archives. Sports & Reading Crossover: India’s must-win Women’s T20 World Cup clash vs Australia at Lord’s is framed around fielding pressure and momentum. Travel for Readers: UAE–India airfares show early easing on some routes, especially Kerala sectors, as capacity returns ahead of summer demand. IPO Watch (Asia Business/Commodities): Sri Priyanka Geo Commex Limited announces an IPO plan, with subscription dates and proceeds earmarked for working capital and expansion.

Publishing & Books: S Hareesh’s August 17 (translated by Jayasree Kalathil) turns a counterfactual India into literature, asking what an independent Travancore might have changed after 1947. Literary Culture: Tara Menon’s Under Water review spotlights friendship and grief across Thailand (2004) and New York (2012), while Courtesans Don’t Read Newspapers (Anil Yadav) gets praised for sharp social satire in North India. Regional Voices: A review of The Greatest Stories from the Northeast Ever Told argues the anthology showcases the region’s identity, folklore and modern struggles beyond stereotypes. Book Industry/Media: YOASOBI’s THE BOOK for, drops with an Overwatch tie-in, plus in-game cosmetics—another sign of music-to-gaming publishing crossovers. AI & Rights: A report on AI training data transparency and “pay per crawl” frames a growing pushback from publishers and creators across the web. Travel Reading/Leisure: India-focused tourism coverage includes Thailand betting big on Indian travellers and Tomorrowland’s Pattaya debut, alongside cruise and museum roundups.