· April, 2010

Stories about East Asia from April, 2010

China: Swiss army knife, meet the PLA super shovel

  30 April 2010

It chops, saws, snips, rips through clay rock, helps you up cliffs and slices your potatoes: it's the People's Liberation Army multifunction shovel. Seen here in this limited speed viral video, order yours today by calling this number — FREE SHIPPING WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.

Japan: Plastic duck race

  29 April 2010

Photoreporter Damoncoulter uploaded original pictures of the duck race held at the second Ashigara River festival in Matsuda city (south of Tokyo). Some hundred yellow, plastic ducks are emptied into the river and “the monies raised are plowed back into environmental organizations that clean up the river and Ashigara area.”

Japan: Kabuki Theatre to be Rebuilt

  29 April 2010

One of the most recognizable buildings in Japan, the grand, old Kabuki-za in Ginza is closing this month. It will be torn down and become a theater and office complex with direct connections to the subway station. Be sure to click this link to see a sketch of the planned...

China: The 42th anniversary of Lin Zhao's death

  29 April 2010

Lin Zhao (林昭), a Peking University student, was arrested in 1960 during the Anti-Rightist Campaign launched by Mao Zedong in 1957 and sentenced to death on 29 of April (today) in 1968, 42 years ago at the age of 35. She could have exchanged for her freedom and life by...

Thailand: Online censorship amid protests

  29 April 2010

As Red Shirt protesters in Thailand continue to press their demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister, the government is also doing everything to weaken the protests, including the use of emergency powers to block TV stations, community radio stations, and websites that broadcast “subversive” stories.

Laos: Rural food

  29 April 2010

Rambling Spoon, who spent nine days in Phongsali province in Laos, kept a diary of what they ate in Laos.

China: New Avatar theme song inspired by forced evictions

  28 April 2010

Avatar director James Cameron admits he found inspiration for the film in China, and Chinese viewers saw a common story from today's China being told in the film. Somewhere in between, mashup artists have now imagined a theme song for Avatar as one might have been sung in Chinese.

Brunei Foodies Go Pink 2010

  26 April 2010

Brunei Foodies Go Pink 2010 is a charity recipe book project of Brunei bloggers for 2010. Bloggers and foodies alike have agreed to raise funds and create awareness about breast cancer by inviting bloggers to contribute their favorite dessert recipe which will be compiled in a book.

About our East Asia coverage

Oiwan Lam
Oiwan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Mong Palatino
Mong Palatino is the South East Asia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.