Stories about East Asia from April, 2019
Malaysian activist under police probe after LGBT speech at the United Nations
"The police investigation into Numan’s statement merely serves to highlight the harassment, bullying and discrimination faced by LGBT persons in Malaysia."
Leica's promo video referencing Tiananmen Square massacre went viral on Chinese social media. Then, it disappeared.
For days, users were forbidden from writing the words "Leica" in English and "徕卡" in Chinese on Weibo.
‘Culture of killing and impunity’: Coffee shop shooting in the Philippines leaves two dead
"The full details remain unclear, but what does remain clear is that this culture of killing and impunity has emboldened murderers to openly boast of their weapons and shoot people."
China's Censored Histories: Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre
The crackdown on internet freedom in early June has become an iconic source of panic for the Communist Party of China.
New online database catalogues nearly 40,000 photos from Japanese wartime occupation of China
A new online database of nearly 40,000 historical images offers a glimpse of life under the wartime occupation of northeast China by Japan.
Censored on WeChat: How a fatal bus accident in Chongqing symbolized China's ‘left turn’
Many people saw the bus accident, the result of a fight onboard, as an allegory of China's political turn in recent years.
Philippine military and police execute 14 labor advocates and farmers in crackdown
More than 200 peasant leaders have been killed since Duterte came to power in 2016.
Censored on WeChat: Revelations of toxic ingredients in Hongmao medicinal liquor
Tan Qindong was arrested after revealing the presence of toxic herbs in a popular medicinal liquor. Posts about his ordeal were censored on WeChat.
New interview with Haruki Murakami looks back on Heisei Japan
"My books seem to be read especially when what we had before suddenly collapsed or disappeared."
Animated film explains how Myanmar's Telecommunications Law undermines free speech
"The law is frequently used by the powerful to silence dissent, and with more than 100 cases filed, its chilling effect on free expression is widespread."
Hong Kong rallies against amendment allowing extradition of ‘fugitives’ to China
The amendment would have dire implications for not just Hong Kong residents, but also foreign nationals who work and travel in the city.
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.
