Asia News Wrap: Ruling party wins Singapore polls, and more.

A few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week.

Ruling party in Singapore wins 14th successive election 

Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) secured a stronger mandate in Saturday’s general election, winning 65.57 percent of the popular vote, a notable increase from 61.24 percent in 2020, according to official results released early Sunday. The party won its 14th successive election on Saturday, extending its unbroken six-decade rule and delivering a strong mandate to its new premier as the city-state braces for economic turbulence amid a global trade war.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the convincing re-election would help Singapore navigate turbulent times. The focus had been on the mandate voters would give Wong in his first electoral test since assuming office a year ago.

The PAP won 87 of the 97 parliamentary seats. "The results will put Singapore in a better position to face this turbulent world," Wong said in the early hours of Sunday. The opposition Workers' Party retained its 10 seats, holding on to its three constituencies in eastern Singapore. No other opposition party won any seats.

Survey: Visitors to Japan most frustrated with lack of rubbish bins

A recent government survey showed that foreign visitors to Japan cited the lack of rubbish bins in public areas, including train stations, as the biggest inconvenience during their trip. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, 21.9 percent of more than 4,000 foreign visitors surveyed at five major airports identified the issue as their top concern.

Japan once had more trash bins in public spaces, but many were removed in recent years, partly due to safety concerns following past terror attacks. While the figure improved by about 8 percentage points from the previous year, many respondents said they often had to carry their rubbish back to their accommodation due to the scarcity of public bins.

While trash cans installed and maintained by the public sector have vanished in Tokyo, some are still available through private-sector installations. To protect deer from overtourism, Nara Park, one of the oldest parks in Japan, installed public trash cans for the first time in 40 years. Initially, signs encouraged visitors to take their trash home, but as foreign tourist numbers increased, so did the garbage problem around the park.

Malaysia plans cargo rail link to Bangkok to boost trade

Malaysia is planning to launch a direct rail cargo service between its capital, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok, Thailand, in 2025 to boost bilateral and regional trade, state media reported, citing its Transport Minister. 

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Cabinet and Prime Minister had approved the proposal, and the rail service is expected to begin operations later in 2025, state news agency Bernama reported on Sunday. “A direct Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok rail link will also improve connectivity to other countries, including Laos, China and Central Asia,” Loke said.

Quake-hit Myanmar extends ceasefire to May 31

Myanmar’s government has extended a temporary ceasefire until May 31 to support reconstruction efforts following a massive earthquake in late March that killed at least 3,700 people and devastated parts of the country, state media reported on Wednesday. The government initially declared the ceasefire in early April, just days after the March 28 earthquake, to support relief efforts.

(Cover: Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong (C) speaks to supporters after the preliminary results of the general elections were announced in Singapore on 4 May 2025. /CFP)