Featured stories about East Asia
Stories about East Asia
25 May 2017
‘We Can Finally Get Married!': Taiwan to Become First Asian Country to Recognise Gay Marriage
Taiwan's constitutional court ordered the legislature to either amend the Civil Code or introduce new provisions to recognise same-sex marriage within two years.
Is the Belt and Road Project the Answer to China's Economic Woes? Some Aren't So Sure.
"...the risk for bad debt is huge. While other countries can easily back down from the initiative, as the leader of the initiative, China will be the last to quit."
24 May 2017
When a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Wrong Words
The story of how a photo of a horrific accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo seven years ago took on a life of its own. WARNING: Contains violent images.
A Russian University Wanted to Award Duterte an Honorary Doctorate, but He Flew Home Too Soon
One of Russia’s most prestigious universities planned to award controversial Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte an honorary doctorate, but he left the country before the ceremony could take place, Russian media...
22 May 2017
In Japan, Plastic Food Models Aren't Just for Restaurants Anymore
"Is there anyone out there who is going to say, "Wow, cool, I can customize my smartphone case with salmon roe?" I think I'll be the only one."
Malaysian Editors Face Cybercrime Charges for Posting a Video that Criticized Attorney General
In the video, which was taken during a press briefing, a former member of the ruling party called for the resignation of the attorney general.
Panic Over Russian Online Suicide Game Sparks ‘Whale Hunt’ in China
Pro-government groups are waging a campaign against the game, and internet censors have predictably gone into overdrive.
20 May 2017
Japanese Committee Clears Path for Vague and Controversial Anti-Conspiracy Bill
The legislation will cover nearly 300 crimes if it passes. Critics have argued personal liberties are at stake.
18 May 2017
#FreeThe5KH Campaign Seeks Release of Five Detained Human Rights Activists in Cambodia
The five have been recognized as among the finalists in the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders in 2017.
13 May 2017
How ‘Aspie’ Is Misunderstood, Mistranslated and Misused In Japan
"Will (people living with Aspergers syndrome) be happy to hear the term asupe used as slang, I wonder?"
12 May 2017
Thailand Threatens to Take Facebook to Court Over Anti-Monarchy Posts
Tha Thailand government has given Facebook until Tuesday, May 16, 2017, to remove the 131 remaining 'anti-monarchy' posts.
11 May 2017
Law Enforcement's Selective Crackdown Curbs Indie Music Space in Hong Kong
"...the latest raid seems more like part of a well planned campaign aimed at crashing every business that does not belong to the big business."
How Photography Shaped Our Narratives of the Vietnam War
An interview about war and propaganda with the photographer of one of the most iconic images of the Vietnam War.
7 May 2017
Mixed Martial Arts Fighter Uses His Ten-Second Defeat of Tai Chi Master to Challenge Chinese Kung Fu Bureaucrats
Have traditional Chinese martial arts devolved into too much performance and too little skill? One Mixed Martial Arts fighter thinks so, and has put his money where his mouth is.
WeChat? Not in Russia You Don't.
Last week, Russia’s federal censor blocked WeChat, China’s largest mobile messaging app. According to Russia’s media censor, Roskomnadzor, WeChat failed to register with the federal government.
6 May 2017
Photographer Chronicles Day-to-Day Life in Tokyo
From stunning portraits to cultural scenes that may not be around for much longer, Lee Chapman is passionate about documenting life in Tokyo.
5 May 2017
Wanna Share News on Social Media? With China's New Rules, You'll Need a Permit For That.
"It is like asking us to uninstall all the communication tools or else whenever you speak, you could violate the law."
Young Girl Quits Malaysian Chess Tournament After Organizers Call Her Knee-Length Skirt ‘Seductive’
"The police should not only be looking into the claims of the breach of dress code but the fact that a child was possibly sexualised by an adult.”
4 May 2017
Netizen Report: Vietnam Says Facebook Will Cooperate With Censorship Requests on Offensive and ‘Fake’ Content
Vietnam makes a deal with Facebook, beef controversy leads to online harassment in India and French authorities push to globalize ‘right to be forgotten’.
3 May 2017
Where Are All the Ordinary People in China's Hit Anti-Corruption Show ‘In the Name of the People'?
[The series] should have been called “Feudal Hereditary System”, as the drama suggests peasants’ children are likely to be corrupt officials and villains while officials’ children are mostly upright..."
About our East Asia coverage
Oiwan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
