Stories about East Asia from March, 2014
Manga “1F” Takes You Inside Fukushima Nuclear Plant
A manga by artist going by the name Kazuto Tatsuta takes readers inside the crippled nuclear plant of Fukushima Dai-Ichi, or ichi efu (1F) – as insiders dubbed it –...
Half a Million Taiwanese Rally to Support #CongressOccupied
Protesters demanded that the Taiwanese government withdraw from a controversial trade agreement with China.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Nuclear Security Summit Protests
Free Tibet protesters were foiled by Chinese security officials, and a protest urging the US to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions was given prime real estate near the summit.
Taiwan’s Indigenous Oppose Trade Deal With China
Taiwan's indigenous people fear the trade agreement with China is a threat to their land, language and culture.
Underpaid Indonesian Workers Producing Global Cosmetic Products
Michael Eko Hardianto writes about the poor conditions of Indonesian workers in factories that produce false eyelashes, hair extensions and other beauty products: …behind every eyelash flutter in the fashion...
Roots of Conflict in Southern Thailand
Patrick Jory traces the history of the conflict in southern Thailand and probes the causes and impact of naming it as an Islamic insurgency: The answer can be found in...
Indonesian Candidates Accused of Exposing Children to ‘Indecent’ Campaign Shows
Twerking-like Dangdut dances and cash handouts are among the spectacles watched by children in the ongoing legislative election campaign in Indonesia.
Pandas Steal Spotlight from Taiwan's Endangered Formosan Bears
Some worry Taiwan is promoting pandas, a species native to mainland China, more than the country's own Formosan black bears.
‘Sleeping Lion’ China Awakened, Says President Xi Jinping
Evoking Napoleon during his visit to France, Chinese President Xi Jinping said his country is an awakened lion that is “peaceful, pleasant and civilized”
South Korea: Royal Gate Restoration, Corruption and Suicide
In recent months, particularly murky allegations over the royal gate restoration have unfolded in South Korea. The project's ‘chief carpenter’ is accused not only of using substandard wood, but stealing...
China Strengthens Censorship on Foreign TV Online
Companies will now have to employ government-approved censors to green light videos before they can be broadcast online.
South Korea Singles Out Elderly Drives With ‘Silver Mark’
Seniors must place a special sticker on the back of their car to signify that they are elderly. Rates of fatal crashes involving seniors is on the rise.
Why Filipinos Became Early Adopters of Western Music
Le Minh Khai refers to the book of D. R. M. Irving in explaining the long history of Filipino musicians playing Western music: …there was a rich experience of musical...
Laos Landmine Victims Appeal for Help
Landmines planted during the Vietnam War era continue to hurt and kill Lao residents today HI's Phongsavath Manithong is challenging the int'l community to support UXO/mine victims in #Laos #Commit2Complete...
Asylum Seekers Face Uncertainty in East Timor
Sharna Jade Bremner probes the situation of asylum seekers in East Timor: Asylum seekers have been arriving in Timor since the early 2000s, however the exact number that are still...
Taiwan's Heavy-Handed Crackdown on #CongressOccupied Leaves Protesters, Journalists Injured
Some have blackened their profile photos on Facebook and Twitter in protest of the heavy-handed police response to a demonstration at government headquarters.
Obama Meets the Chinese President in Netherlands as the US First Lady Continues Her Soft Diplomacy in China
US First Lady Michelle Obama paid a visit to China roughly at the same time her husband traveled to the Netherlands for a nuclear summit, also attended by China's president.
Heartbreaking News: Missing Malaysian Flight MH370 Crashed into Indian Ocean
The Malaysian Prime Minister confirmed Monday evening that missing Malaysian airliner MH370 crashed into the Indian Ocean. The plane with 239 passengers lost contact two weeks ago.
Dear #CongressOccupied Protesters, ‘Don't Let Taiwan Become the Next Hong Kong’
Since protests in Taiwan began March 18 against a trade deal with China, many Hongkongers have sent many messages of encouragement and of warning to the Taiwanese.
Malaysia's Water Shortage is a Natural and Man-Made Disaster
Water shortage has been reported in Selangor, Johor, Negri Sembilan, and Kedah in Malaysia. The Sin Chew Daily explains the cause of the problem: …the drought and water shortage in...
State of Literature in Post-Dictatorship Myanmar
Writing for The Dissident Blog, James Byrne reviews the status of Burmese literature in the post-dictatorship era in Myanmar: When I was in the country last year there were poems...
About our East Asia coverage
