Japan and South Korea combine deep cultural traditions with advanced industrial societies. This series explores how history, social values, demographic change and economic ambition continue to shape two of Northeast Asia’s most influential nations.
Portrait of Asia
Understanding the People, Societies and Economies Shaping a Changing Continent
Asia is home to extraordinary diversity. Through its people, cultures, societies and economies, this series explores how history, values and development shape the countries that are redefining one of the world’s most dynamic continents.
Behind every economy lies a society, and behind every society are people whose values, traditions and aspirations shape the future of their nation. While headlines often focus on geopolitics, trade or technology, understanding Asia requires looking beyond the news.
Portrait of Asia explores the countries of the continent through the lens of their societies. Each profile examines how culture, history, demographics, education, institutions and economic development interact to create distinct national identities. Rather than comparing winners and losers, the series seeks to understand why countries develop differently and how their people continue to shape that journey.
Together, these portraits offer a broader perspective on one of the world’s most diverse and rapidly changing regions—revealing not only how Asia is changing, but also who is driving that change.
Greater China explores four societies shaped by a shared civilisation but different historical paths. Through culture, institutions, technology and statecraft, the series examines how one of the world’s oldest civilisations continues to influence four distinct models of modern development.
Credit
Image: AI-generated illustration / Altair Media Asia
Caption
Five children. Five backgrounds. One shared future. Portrait of Asia begins not with borders, governments or economies, but with people—the cultures, communities and societies shaping a changing continent.
