· December, 2012

Stories about East Asia from December, 2012

Japan's Kanji of the Year 2012

  31 December 2012

The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation has announced the kanji of the year 2012 is gold (金) on December 12, 2012. How do netizens conceive this announcement and how do they look back this year?

Cambodia: Major Events of 2012

  31 December 2012

Albeiro Rodas reviews the major events and issues in Cambodia in the year 2012. He mentions the passing away of King Norodom Sihanouk as the most important event in Cambodia in the past year.

Cambodia: Timeline of Human Rights Violations

  31 December 2012

Sithi provides a timeline of human rights violations in Cambodia from 1993 up to the present. This documentation project also highlights the rise of human right abuses involving land ownership.

Thailand's ‘Skype Doctors’

  31 December 2012

“Virtual ER”, launched in 2011, serves as a direct means of communication between BNH Hospital's Emergency Room and patients via Skype…Patients or helpers can speak to and see the nurses in the ER from wherever they are with simple tools including internet connection, a computer, a tablet PC or a...

A Memorable 2012 for Myanmar

  31 December 2012

Burma has experienced a lot of political and social turbulence throughout the past year. Like a dilapidated taxi driving in torrential rain, the country is still moving forward but things looks risky. We can only hope that 2013 sees better weather ahead. Writing for The Irrawaddy, Kyaw Zwa Moe reviews...

Japan's Independent Film Theaters are Disappearing

  30 December 2012

One after the other, independent movie theaters are going out of business in Japan. The wave of closing theaters has changed Tokyo's street scenes, people who gathered and spent their time at these old theaters, have lost their place.

Chinese Scholars Test the New Leadership's Will to Political Reform

  28 December 2012

More than 70 Chinese scholars and legal experts co-signed a petition urging the new Chinese Communist Party leaders to reform according to the existing Chinese Constitution. Many believe that the moderate reform gesture is to test the CCP new leadership's will to political reform.

What Lies Ahead for China in 2013?

  28 December 2012

As the end of 2012 draws near, CHINA DIGITAL TIMES has summarized the changes and challenges facing China in 2013 based on different media reports and predictions.

International Fast Food Chains Involved in China's Chicken Scandal

  28 December 2012

A number of international fast-food chains are involved in the latest food safety scandal to hit China. Nationalistic voices are reacting by calling for foreign brands to be kicked out of China, while some believe that the government is to blame for the lack of food safety control.

Witchcraft and Dispute Resolution in East Timor

  27 December 2012

Following the report of the murder of an alleged witch in Maubisse, Timor Leste, on December 21, 2012, Australian anthropologist Matthew Libbis writes a comment on witchcraft and dispute resolution on the blog East Timor Law and Justice Bulletin.

The Personal Lives of China’s New Leaders

  27 December 2012

Xinhua News has published[zh] a series of personal profiles of China's top leaders, including photos of their families, which was rare in Chinese media. The move was seen by many as another indication that China’s new leadership may have a different management style from their predecessors. Offbeat China has more...

South Korea: X-Mas Mass-Scale Speed-Dating

  27 December 2012

The first-ever mass speed-dating on the Christmas Eve in South Korea turns out to be a complete failure where 90% of participants were male. Reportedly over 20,000 people signed up and even the police was dispatched for possible sexual aggressions. One net user pointed [ko] the fact that it was basically the man's...

Come to China During Christmas to Enjoy Religious Freedom!

  27 December 2012

In response to the criticism that China does not have religious freedom, the Chinese Communist Party's mouthpiece, Global Times, published an editorial on Christmas Eve inviting overseas China observers to spend their Christmas holiday in China.

From Gangnam Style to Jailed Tweeter: Korea in 2012

  26 December 2012

Starting from North Korean leadership change, to Gangnam Style spreading over the world and finally the presidential election in December, 2012 has been a dramatic year in South Korea. Here are the top seven Korean stories of the year, which created major social media buzz.

Police Accuses “2channel” for Assisting in Drug Trade

  26 December 2012

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department sent papers on Hiroyuki Nishimura, the founder and former operator of Japan's popular online bulletin board “2channel” [ja] to prosecutors on December 20 2012, accusing him of helping in the solicitation of the narcotics trade, Jiji Press reported. @Ikalga commented [ja] on Twitter that accusing...

Philippines: Catholic Church Offers Online Rituals

  26 December 2012

The Philippine Catholic Church has been actively using the internet to fulfill its evangelical mission. In recent years, it has launched several online platforms which allow Filipinos around the world to celebrate Christian traditions.

China Considers Real Name Registration for All Internet Users

  26 December 2012

Following the call for more internet supervision by state-run People’s Daily newspaper last week, Xinhua news reported on December 24, 2012 that the Chinese government is considering a new law requiring real-name registration for its 500 million internet users.

What Did Chinese Web Users Search for in 2012?

  25 December 2012

Baidu, the leading search engine in China, has compiled two Top 10 lists —the most-searched terms online in 2012, and the “fastest rising” words or phrases. TeaLeafNation has a detailed analysis on what the lists mean.

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.