Stories about East Asia from December, 2018
Censored in 2018: Protest videos, court verdicts, real news — and Peppa Pig
From blocked websites to revoked media licenses to account shutdowns, censorship comes in many forms. Here are a few we saw in 2018.
Exploring Indo identity with Dutch photographer Armando Ello
"I have first hand experiences throughout my whole life. We live in a society that is still centered around colonial perspectives on history."
Why Chinese netizens believe a commodity index can predict global affairs
According to the myth, the Yiwu commodity index predicted the outcome of the US 2016 presidential election and is set to do the same for Europe's "yellow vest" protests.
Indonesian military suspected of using chemical weapons against West Papuan separatists, reports Australian newspaper
"Villagers are traumatised and very scared. They have fled into the jungle. Christmas should be a time of peace but not a time of fear."
China's campaign against Christmas makes celebrating a difficult choice for citizens
"Are all these measures to enhance and promote Chinese culture or a sign of losing confidence on one’s own culture?"
What do Chinese internet users think of Google's ‘Dragonfly’ project?
Internet users remain divided over whether or not Google's supposed return to China is a good thing -- or not.
It’s official: 2018 in Japan was a ‘disaster’
Given Japan's year of natural catastrophes, the Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society thought that “disaster” was a suitable symbol for 2018.
Removal of Filipino language and literature as required college subjects sparks opposition
"We believe that Filipino language and literature is vital in deepening the critical, creative, free, and liberating capacities of students and people."
Crackdown in Beijing: ‘Using Twitter is more dangerous than street demonstrations’
The number of Twitter users who have been directly threatened by authorities is estimated to be in the hundreds or even more.
Singapore government threatens critics and independent media with defamation claims
"How can a prime minister be offended by someone sharing a Facebook post?"
Terrifying folk rituals from Japan added to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list
The demons enter homes to scare children until being placated with sake. In other variations of the ritual, the demons will chase children through the streets to scare them.
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