Stories about East Asia from October, 2013
Meetup with Global Voices!
Throughout the months of November and December, we are organizing six global in-person 'meetups' led and facilitated by Global Voices members.
Ballett Dortmund's Red Dream Ballet Censored in Hong Kong
Scenes and images related to the Cultural Revolution were removed abruptly before and after Ballett Dortmund's Red Dream opening performance in Hong Kong.
South Korea Wants to Regulate Online Gaming Like Drugs and Alcohol
Earlier this month, South Korean lawmakers proposed a bill that regulates online gaming in a similar fashion to drugs and alcohol because of its addictive elements.
South Korean Tear Gas Being Used in Bahrain?
Bahrain interior ministry allegedly ordered 1.6 million teargas canisters to use against protesters, and South Korean company DaeKwang is believed to be one of the major suppliers. R. Elgin wrote in Marmot's Hole blog about the ironic history of tear gas– a notorious symbol of Korean government's clampdowns back in...
Everyone Suffers in Manila Traffic
Filipino journalist Iris Cecilia Gonzales writes about how people suffer from Manila's notorious street traffic: When one is stuck in traffic in Manila's streets, there's no escape. Everyone suffers — whether you're driving a sleek Rolls Royce or a moving piece of junk; whether it's with a red plate or...
Is Cambodia a One-Party State?
Anirudh Bhati rejects the position by some analysts that Cambodia has become a one-party state after the main opposition party boycotted the inaugural session of the National Assembly: …it would be erroneous to assume that Cambodia has relapsed into a one-party state simply based on the premise that the current...
Journalists Fear Japan's Proposed Secret Information Protection Act
The cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a bill [ja] on October 25, 2013 to impose tougher penalties on civil servants, lawmakers and others who leak national secrets and harm national security. The so-called Secret Information Protection Act has been unpopular among Japanese press, human rights advocates, and citizens...
Singapore Rejects Proposal to Define Poverty Line
Singapore "is known for defining everything" including "the exact number of people that constitutes an unlawful assembly." But surprisingly, the richest country in the world has not yet defined poverty
Race Against Time for Ill Former Samsung Workers in South Korea
Samsung employees suffering from work-related illnesses face an uphill legal battle for recognition and compensation. Recently, there has been some positive developments.
VIDEO: “Myths and Murals” of East Timor
East Timorese and Australian artists have come together to reflect and create around Myths and Murals, “promoting a common sense of national identity through art and story and collaborative strategies for engagement”. The cross-cultural public art and literacy project, between artists from Melbourne and the East Timorese free art school Arte Moris, takes...
The Guardian's (Mis)guide To Japanese Sex Trends
"Japan's under-40s appear to be losing interest in conventional relationships," said The Guardian. "Millions aren't...dating, and increasing numbers can't be bothered with sex." Not so fast, said Japanese netizens.
Malaysia Revives ‘Detention Without Trial’ Law
The government insists a tough law is needed to defeat gangs and criminal syndicates. But critics are worried that the law would lead to grave human rights abuses.
USA: Elevating Young Asian Voices in Immigration Reform Debate
The Youth Leadership Council of the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center created an inspiring video to help young Asian voices heard in the immigration reform debate. Blogger Angry Asian Man briefly comments on this video featuring local youth's thought-provoking spoken word performances.
92 Countries Sign Minamata Convention to Prevent Mercury Poisoning
The Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global legally binding instrument on mercury was adopted in Minamata, Japan. The city known for tragedy now hopes to be known for solutions.
South Korea: Labor Worker's Posthumous Victory Over Samsung
South Korean conglomerate Samsung has come under fire for their notorious labor violations. ‘International Campaign for Health and Labour Rights of Samsung Electronics Workers‘ explains about South Korean Court's recent ruling that orders industrial-accident payouts to the bereaved family of a former Samsung employee who died of leukemia.
Chinese Newspaper Defies Censors, Publishes Front-Page Call for Journalist's Release
Reporter Chen Yongzhou was detained by police after the publication of his numerous investigative reports on the business practices of a large Chinese construction company.
Three Lessons on Dating in China
Jocelyn Eikenburg from Speaking of China shared her experience in cross-cultural dating in China. The three lessons she had learned are: 1. Actions matter more than words; 2. Keep that past relationship in the past; and 3. It takes a lot longer to meet the parents.
CCTV News Tweets About Zhou Yongkang Corruption Case
China Watch Twitters spotted a news tweets which was quickly deleted about the government's investigation on Zhou Yongkang's corruption case. Is it a rumor? Or a glimpse of the truth? Beijing cream put a spotlight on the discussion.
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