Stories about East Asia from April, 2018
Springtime in Japan means the return of the country's beloved swallows
For many Japanese people, the return of the swallows is something to look forward to, and an experience to treasure.
Why did China take its own propaganda film offline? Netizens point to US tech sanctions
Netizens suspect that the film is being restricted due to new US sanctions against ZTE, a Chinese telecommunications hardware company.
What were Global Voices’ readers up to last week?
During the week of April 16-22, 2018, the most popular story on our Indonesian language site was about Taiwan. And on our Polish language site? A story about Mexico.
China Central Television backs Russian version of the Syrian crisis, saying chemical attacks were staged
Russia claims the Syrian chemical attacks were staged; China's state media echoes that narrative, but not everyone is buying into it.
The Philippine government's plan to shut down Boracay resort island threatens to displace thousands
"Thousands upon thousands of real people will be affected by a complete closure of the island. Real, breathing humans, not statistics."
Will Singapore's plan to combat ‘deliberate online falsehoods’ stifle free speech?
"…the biggest threat to the stability and growth of the democratic process in Singapore is the government’s control of the media and information."
Magdalene magazine gives a platform to women and other marginalized sectors of Indonesia
"We channel the voices of feminists, pluralists and progressives, or just those who are not afraid to be different, regardless of their genders, colors, or sexual preferences."
What were Global Voices’ readers up to last week?
During the week of April 9-15, 2018, our stories and translations attracted readers from 211 countries. Number 95 on the list? Azerbaijan. And number 154? Niger.
Empty Nets Syndrome: How young fishing families on Cambodia's Mekong are struggling to survive
For young parents from Cambodia's Cham fishing community, the river-based lifestyle led by their ancestors for 4,000 years is beginning to lose some of its appeal.
Netizen Report: Around the World, Activists Demand Answers From Facebook
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Confrontation and Disruption in a New Exhibition by Chinese-American Artist Xiaoze Xie
"Subjects with conflicts, struggles, and some intensity always compel me to paint, because I think they are important."
No Laughing Matter: China Shuts Down Popular Joke-Sharing App
"A country, a government, a supervision department. They are all scared of a joke-sharing application."
What Were Global Voices’ Readers up to Last Week?
During the week of April 2-8, 2018, our stories and translations attracted readers from 209 countries. Number 53 on the list? Thailand. And number 182? São Tomé & Príncipe.
Amid Crackdown on Dissent, Six Vietnamese Human Rights Activists Are Dealt Long Prison Sentences
“I will continue the struggle and if I must sit in jail, others on the outside will fight on for me and they will never stop.”
How ‘Power Harassment’ and ‘Karoshi’ Continue to Cause Serious Problems for Japanese Workers
“Power harassment”, which includes verbal intimidation, emotional abuse, and forcing employees to work overtime with no pay, and “karoshi“ (or “death from over-work”), are becoming real perils in Japan.
Netizen Report: Malaysia Outlaws ‘Fake News’ — Will Singapore Be Next?
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
With Elections Approaching and Parliament Dissolved, Will Malaysia's Anti-Fake News Law Become a ‘Political Weapon'?
"While this issue should not be ignored, the proposed broad-based law to criminalise the dissemination of news amounts to legislative overkill."
Singapore's Economic Success ‘Comes at the Sacrifice of Humans Rights,’ Says Activist Han Hui Hui
"I hope that countries around the world don’t follow the Singapore model...Advocate and have your independent labor unions and student unions because we don’t have that in Singapore."
With ‘Sharp Eyes’, Smart Phones and TV Sets Are Watching Chinese Citizens
By 2020, China could have a comprehensive nationwide surveillance network, wherein law enforcement will have easy access to data collected by any individual surveillance camera in the network.
Why Did More Than 200,000 Koreans Petition to Shutter a Popular Website?
"If you are a user of this site, it means that you participate in sharing its toxicity into the world."
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