Stories about East Asia from January, 2015
Thailand's Military-Appointed Legislature Impeaches Ousted Prime Minister
Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was impeached for implementing a rice pledging program which critics decried as anomalous and disastrous.
Japanese PM's ‘Triple Disaster’ Response to ISIS Ransom Demands
The prime minister dispatched a notably pro-Israel Japanese lawmaker to Jordan to deal with the crisis and delivered his response to ISIS's demands standing in front of an Israeli flag.
Hong Kongers Should Have the Right To Be Forgotten, Says HK Privacy Commissioner
Commissioner Chiang argues that concerns about the policy infringing on freedom of expression are "overblown".
Myanmar's Nationalist Monk Attacks UN Envoy in His Speech
The Buddhist nationalist monk is not happy over the UN rapporteur's statement concerning the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
Hong Kong Police Make Appointments With Occupy Central Activists For Their Arrests
Netizens are not sure what to make of Hong Kong police officers calling Occupy Central Movement protesters - ostensibly as a courtesy - to inform them of their pending arrests.
Indonesia's Pick for Top Cop is a Suspect in a Bribery Scandal
The police chief nominee also made suspicious bank transactions as a police officer, according to the country's anti-corruption agency. Many Indonesians think this makes Budi Gunawan unfit for the job.
Activists Urge Pope Francis to Drop Fossil Fuel Investments During Philippines Visit
In Tacloban, during an organized luncheon with victims from Typhoon Haiyan, the pope was hand delivered a letter including a call for the Vatican to divest from fossil fuels.
How the Philippines Hid Social Injustice From Pope Francis
Activists, street children, and urban poor residents were some of those who were "hidden" by authorities during the state visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines.
Plastic Waste Documentary Brings China's Environmental Crisis Home to Netizens
Chinese have expressed their shock and anger at the lax regulations on plastic waste exposed in "Plastics Kingdom".
Philippines Evicts Small Vendors Ahead of Pope's ‘Mercy and Compassion’ Visit
The Luneta street vendors have protested the eviction notice: "We love the Pope. We will not harm him. We are not terrorists."
Documenting the Struggles of Papuans in Indonesia
Papuan Voices is a video advocacy initiative that highlights the struggles of the people of West Papua, a province of Indonesia. West Papua has been struggling to be an independent state although this conflict from Indonesia is not widely reported in the media.
Fact-Checking the Hype Surrounding FireChat in Hong Kong's Protests
Pro-democracy protesters downloaded smartphone chat app FireChat in droves amid rumors of an Internet shutdown. In the rush to cover the phenomenon, media outlets got some things wrong.
Young Malaysian Volunteers Are Taking a Leading Role in Flood Relief Efforts
After Malaysia was hit by the worst flooding in decades, young volunteers organized relief efforts in several communities. Global Voices spoke with two women who helped a soup kitchen program.
Horrific Hokkaido Bear Attack Repackaged as Cute Japanese Tourist Attraction
"I'm not sure if the warm and friendly image of the bear here is quite appropriate here..."
Chinese Police Are Buying Spyware — And Posting Their Purchase Orders Online
Netizens now can see exactly what surveillance tools police are using, and exactly how much they paid for them.
This Snowboarder Was Lost for 2 Nights in the Snow, But It's His Hair People Can't Stop Talking About
Three Japanese snowboarders were rescued from a snowy mountain. One member of the group not only had to apologize for getting lost, but also endured speculation about his hair.
A Death Sentence for Trafficking 15 Grams of Heroin? Singapore Groups Say No More.
Groups say the death penalty isn't an effective deterrent, pointing out how capital punishment makes even small offenses a matter of life and death, motivating criminals to be more violent.
Japanese Singer Sports Hitler Moustache in New Year's Political Statement
Why was Keisuke Kuwata wearing a Hitler moustache during his performance? He hasn't said why, but some think it was meant to criticise Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Countdown to Asian Cup 2015 Heats Up in Australia
The temperatures in Australia are soaring a week before hosting the Asian Cup 2015 starting 9 January.
Search for Air Asia QZ8501 Continues After Crash Site Located
The Twitter hashtag #togetherwestand is being used to show solidarity to friends and relatives of all those on board Air Asia flight QZ8501.
Malaysia Launches New Logo as Chair of ASEAN 2015
Malaysia is the new chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for the year 2015. This year is crucial for ASEAN as the region takes steps to achieve full integration as a united community. The new logo represents “harmony, close partnership and aspiration of the people from the ten...
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.
