Stories about East Asia from February, 2016
Is Japan Having Sex?
How much sex are Japanese people having, anyway, and could having more sex help Japan improve its declining birth rate?
The Malaysian Insider News Website Blocked by Authorities for Posting ‘Unverified’ Report on Government Corruption
"Such unilateral action could also be construed as an attempt to intimidate the media against running critical news reports."
Hokkaido's Popular Poplar Cut Down Because of Misbehaving Tourists
The tree had increasingly become a tourist attraction in recent years, with people traveling to visit the tree to snap its picture.
Disenfranchised Hongkongers Flood Their Chief Executive's Facebook Page with New ‘Angry’ Emoji
Hongkongers are making their feelings about the head of their government known, thanks to the launch of Facebook's new "Reactions" feature, which gives them the freedom to express their disapproval.
An Exiled Scholar Says Thailand's Junta Is Harassing His Family
"I already found this injustice unbearable. But to go after my family who had nothing to do with me — this is absolutely unacceptable."
How Myanmar Residents Are Coping Up With Rising Temperatures Caused by El Niño
El Niño is already causing water shortages across Myanmar. Take a look at how residents are coping up with the rising temperatures.
This Island in the Indian Ocean Is Small, But the Lessons It Offers on Clean Power Are Anything But
The Indonesian island Sumba is working to provide 100-percent renewable electricity to all 650,000 residents by 2025.
Volunteer Disaster Relief Efforts Cultivate a Friendship Between Taiwanese and Japanese
"You helped us and we weren’t even your friends, so of course we came to help. Japan and Taiwan will be best friends forever."
China Won't Broadcast the Hong Kong Film Awards Because of Dystopian Nominee ‘Ten Years’
"What is so fearful about this film? The film has portrayed different thoughts and perspectives; this can be a starting point for communication and understanding."
Facts Be Damned. China's President Demands Media Outlets Parrot the Party Line
"When all the media are working for something other than the people's interest, people are left behind and forgotten."
Journalist Hit With Defamation Suit From Timor Leste's Prime Minister Over Corruption Reporting
It's the second time the journalist has faced legal action accusing defamation. This time, it's over his reporting on alleged irregularities in a computer equipment project in the Finance Ministry.
Fascinating 16mm Films of Japan, Hong Kong and Asia From the Last Century
Michael Rogge has uploaded a collection of videos documenting life in Japan and other parts of Asia at the dawn of the continent's economic transformation.
China's Media Wants You to Love the State as Much as You Love Your Family
"...you can't cut your connection with your father for the emperor's sake. The expression of 'showing filial piety to the state' is absolutely ridiculous."
A New Poster Shows Just How Desperate Japan's Hated Opposition Party Is for Votes
Japan's DPJ has released an election poster that asks voters to hold their nose and vote for them. Desperate?
The Racist Portrayal of the Philippines in Historical Cartoons as US Troops Invaded
The cartoons portrayed Filipinos as uncivilized people who needed to be educated by the invading United States army.
Netizen Report: Medium Stands Up for Malaysian Investigative Journalists
The Malaysian government is now blocking the blogging platform Medium, in an apparent effort to censor the Malaysian investigative news organization Sarawak Report.
Teenager's Death After Police Questioning Leads to Review of Crime Investigation Procedure in Singapore
"We find it absurd that while public spaces are heavily surveilled with security cameras, interrogation rooms are not fitted with any cameras to allow for transparency of the interrogation process."
Citizens Protest Against Trinidad Mayor's ‘Vulgar’ Victim-Blaming Statements
"Clothing does not cause violence. Dark streets do not cause violence. Walking alone at night does not cause violence."
Malaysian Police Threaten Internet Users for Sharing Clown Memes of Prime Minister
"Public scrutiny is part of the democratic process that serves as the foundation of Malaysia. Satirical images and comments made against government official[s] should not be considered as a crime."
Finally, a Wall to Unite People, Not Divide Them
Throughout history, walls have been a symbol of separation, segregation, and division. But a new phenomenon called the “wall of kindness” is doing just the opposite.
Hong Kongers’ Long-Simmering Distrust of Government Boils Over in the ‘Fishball Riots’
"...we will fight back. We will not act like the fools in the Occupy Central protest, sitting there and waiting for the cops to arrest them."
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