Minimum Wage Race in Japan: Akita’s minimum wage jump to 1,031 yen sparks a backlash as businesses say labor costs are already squeezing margins, delaying implementation by six months. Lunar Time Standard: Japan and others are pushing for a unified lunar time standard as Moon missions ramp up around 2030, with timing accuracy critical for navigation and operations. Pacific Forum Watch: Pacific leaders gather in Palau for the Pacific Islands Forum, but several heads of government are absent, raising questions about whether the meeting delivers tangible outcomes on climate and regional priorities. RSE Worker Protections (NZ): New proposals aim to improve conditions for Pacific and Asian RSE workers, including longer accreditation for “exemplary” employers and better pathways for workers facing exploitation. US Green Card Backlog: A new analysis projects extreme employment-based visa waits for Indians—up to 179 years in EB-2—driven by caps and per-country limits. China Jobs Anxiety: Reports highlight workers in China worrying about losing jobs to AI as automation spreads. India Employment Push: Andhra Pradesh says it’s moving from investment announcements to execution—targeting 20 lakh jobs—after approving hundreds of projects since 2024. Tech Hiring & Mobility: India’s bank expansion plans include opening 100 new branches and hiring about 2,500 employees, while Japan’s foreign hiring halt intensifies competition for restaurant workers. Aerospace Ecosystem (China): Wenchang bets on rockets to build jobs via an aerospace ecosystem spanning launches, satellites, data services and tourism.