Stories about East Asia from June, 2015
Jailed in Singapore for Criticizing a Former Prime Minister, But Still Blogging
"Everyday my cellmates would eagerly wait for that light to dissipate, knowing that another day has passed, and they’re one day closer to attaining their freedom."
Japan's ‘Too Handsome’ Gorilla Is a Social Media Sensation
Some outside Japan wrote the story off as another “Weird Japan” piece, but that didn't sit well with everyone.
Who Are the 5.5 Million Facebook Fans of Chinese State Newspaper People's Daily?
Communist party mouthpiece People's Daily has millions of likes on Facebook, a social media platform that is blocked in China. Chinese netizens are wondering who those fans are.
‘Transitioning Cambodia’ Photo Book Illustrates Cambodia’s Uneven Development
"People tell us they are happy there is a book that looks at Cambodia as it is—not just the temples of Angkor or photos of children riding an oxcart."
Girl Group Goes Head-to-Head With Japanese Prime Minister Over Reinterpreting Constitution
A Japanese girl group's clash with municipal government highlights increasingly vocal opposition to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government.
The Puzzle Surrounding a Father's Day Photo of Jailed Chinese Politician Bo Xilai and His Son
"The father is forever the father, whatever he was, a so-called political figure, now he has been put in prison. The son is forever the son."
Pictures of Chinese People Scanning QR Codes
Apart from mobile boarding passes and the occasional event ticket, in many countries QR codes have never quite caught on. In China, however, they're everywhere.
US-Listed Chinese Firms Flock Home to Take Advantage of Bull Market
"In China, if you have enough money, they don't have to face these problems. They can't survive overseas and come back to cheat their relatives."
Malaysian Lawyer's Viral Post Criticizing the Proposal to Require Non-Muslims to Fast During Ramadan
Malaysian lawyer Azhar Harun criticized the suggestion of some local leaders to require non-Muslims not to eat when Muslims fast during Ramadan. Why the need to close school canteens during...
What Sailor Moon Means to Women All Over the World
Sailor Moon may seem like a cutesy cartoon intended just for anime maniacs, but a closer looks shows that the program includes themes of women's empowerment and independence.
Hong Kong's Legislature Went Off Script, and the Pro-Beijing Establishment Is Not Happy
After Hong Kong's legislature vetoed China-backed electoral reform, a pro-Beijing news outlet warned the city's autonomy could be in jeopardy if voters don't kick out pan-democrats in next year's elections.
Arrested for Criticizing a Former Prime Minister, Singaporean Teen Blogger Amos Yee is Now Being Evaluated for Autism
The 16-y/o blogger who criticized Lee Kuan Yew was suggested to be suffering from autism spectrum disorder, and the judge ruled him to be remanded for another two weeks to assess his suitability for Mandatory Treatment Order.
Pope Francis’ Call to ‘Hear Both the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor’ Resonates in the Philippines
Environmentalists in the country also called on the Vatican to divest from fossil fuels.
Toyota Exec's Arrest Highlights Japan's Hard Line on Narcotics
An American executive's arrest has highlighted Japan's zero-tolerance attitude towards illegal drugs, including those legal in other countries.
How a Facebook User in Thailand Was Sentenced to 50 Years in Jail for ‘Defaming’ the Monarchy
"How can they arrest Father? Father didn’t kill anybody; the judgment is excessive."
Infographic Shows Thailand Junta Arrested Hundreds in the Past Year for Criticizing the Government
The free speech advocate iLaw uploaded an infographic which showed that 166 people have been arrested in the past year in Thailand for expressing an opinion against the military-backed government....
Singaporean Teenage Video Blogger Sent to ‘Rehabilitation’ For Offensive YouTube Video
According to Amnesty International, the 16-year old Amos Yee is the youngest prisoner of conscience in the world today.
Bicyclists, Hang Up That Phone. Japan’s Traffic Laws Just Got Tougher
The newly revised laws are meant to curb dangerous behaviour, such as riding through stop signs, failing to yield to pedestrians, and riding while drunk or holding an umbrella.
The Deaths of Four Siblings Shines a Harsh Light on China's 60 Million ‘Left-Behind’ Children
"How can CCTV deny [the government’s] responsibility? Isn't society accountable for four children choosing suicide by drinking pesticide?"
Pink Dot Rally for LGBT Rights Gathers 28,000 People in Singapore
"We believe everyone deserves the freedom to love, and the freedom to be themselves."
Hope for a Nuclear-Free Taiwan
Many Taiwanese wish to reduce the risks of nuclear power, but if President Ma's administration represses their voices instead of listening, the problems of nuclear waste could be deadlocked.
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