Stories about East Asia from September, 2014
Fears of a Tiananmen-Style Crackdown Swirl in Hong Kong as Pro-Democracy Protests Continue
Occupy Central is calling for Hong Kong's chief executive to resign, while members of both pro-government and opposition camps fear violent intervention from Beijing.
6 English-Language Blogs to Help You Better Understand Japan
A list of the best in Japanese blogs covering Japanese current events, culture, politics, crime and more. Did we miss a blog? Let us know in the comments!
Pope Francis will Visit the “Ground Zero’ of Typhoon Haiyan Disaster in the Philippines
The official logo and website related to the Philippine visit of Pope Francis in January 2015 have been unveiled already. Pope Francis will visit Manila and Tacloban. Tacloban is the “ground zero” of the Typhoon Haiyan disaster which claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people in the Eastern Visayas...
Twitter Users Proclaim the Death of Indonesia's Democracy as Lawmakers Scrap Direct Voting of Regional Assemblies
The Twitter hashtags #RIPDemokrasi and #ShameOnYouSBY were trending as Indonesians expressed displeasure over the vote and against outgoing president SBY.
Pro-Democracy Protesters Have Turned Central Hong Kong Into a Colorful Sea of Umbrellas
Dubbed the "umbrella revolution" in some media, protesters have withstood authorities' tear gas and pepper spray using umbrellas for protection.
Taiwanese See in Hong Kong's Pro-Democracy Protests What a Future With China Might Be Like
More than a thousand people gathered in the Freedom Square in Taiwan to express their solidarity with Hong Kong protesters.
How to Go Trainspotting in China Without Being Charged With Espionage
YouTube vlogger RailKingJP regularly uploads fantatsic footage of his trainspotting adventures in Japan and abroad. New to the hobby? He also offers tips and tricks for tracking down trains.
Hong Kong Police Unleash Tear Gas on Peaceful Pro-Democracy Protesters
The police cracked down on protesters after Occupy Central with Love and Peace began a massive sit-in calling for genuine democratic elections.
Laos Joins Southeast Asian Neighbors in Imposing Stricter Internet Controls
The new law will criminalize online criticism of government policies and outlaw "Spreading information that distorts truth or tarnishes the dignity and rights of individuals, sectors, institutions and organizations."
Video of Japan's Mount Ontake Eruption as it Happened
One person has been left dead, nearly fifty climbers are severely injured, and ten people are missing after Mount Ontake, a popular climbing spot, in central Japan, erupted.
Violent Clashes Between Hong Kong Police and Peaceful Student Protesters
Hundreds of student protesters raised their hands to show they were unarmed and formed a human shield to block riot police. But they were pepper sprayed and dozens arrested.
Philippine Mall Apologizes For Selling Shirts that Say Rape is a ‘Snuggle with a Struggle’
This week Internet users were also enraged after a female model on a leash was pulled by a man, while she was on all fours, at a fashion show.
Thailand's Military Stops University Lecture on ‘Authoritarianism’ and Detains Professors
Academics from various universities in Thailand have deplored the action taken by the army and the government as an attack on academic freedom.
Non-Japanese Who Stayed in Sendai After 3.11 Earthquake Walk for Recovery
Despite being uncertain of what the future might bring, dozens of non-Japanese people decided to remain in their adopted home of Sendai, a coastal city located in the north of Japan hit by massive tsunami triggered by the earthquake of March 11, 2011. Sharing the footsteps to recovery, those standing together...
China Sentences Peaceful Uyghur Scholar Ilham Tohti to Life in Prison
"I scream for our ethnic group, but I scream louder for China," Ilham Tohti said through his lawyer.
A Japanese Man Pops the Question With the Help of a Dancing Flash Mob in Osaka
Millions have seen the video of the man's creative marriage proposal, set to the tune of Louder by Japanese pop star Charice.
Wanna Learn the Khmer Language? Check Out this Audio Dictionary
Kheng.Info is a useful portal to learn Khmer, the official language of Cambodia. Aside from word translation, the website also offers an audio recording of Khmer words which is helpful to understand the meaning of the Khmer script. Check out how the word ‘love’ translates to Khmer:
Film Shows How a Malaysian Tribe is Stopping Loggers from Destroying their Land
Sunset Over Selungo is a 30-minute film documenting how the indigenous Penan tribe is defending the remaining rainforest of Borneo island in Malaysia. Borneo is the largest island in Asia. The film was made by independent British filmmaker Ross Harrison
Singapore Bans Film Featuring Political Exiles Saying it ‘Undermines National Security’
The Singapore government considers the interview with exiled activists and aging communists as a threat to national security
New Zealand Is Out to Tarnish Japan's Reputation Over Whaling, or so Says Japan's Public Broadcaster
"New Zealand's real aim: to damage Japan's international reputation," according to NHK's News Watch 9 program. Some Japanese Twitter users thought the reaction was a bit much.
As Political Pressure From Beijing Mounts, Hong Kong Students Demand Democracy With Class Boycott
Student activists accuse Beijing of making Hong Kong empty promises of a democratic vote, so in return they are leaving their classrooms empty for at least a week.
About our East Asia coverage
Oiwan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
Nevin Thompson is the Japan editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
