Stories about East Asia from December, 2019
Longest internet disruption in Myanmar’s Rakhine state sets dangerous precedent

"There has been no evidence that the disproportionate decision has had any positive effect on reducing the conflict, which remains pervasive."
Conference in Thailand debates state of human rights in the northeast provinces
"We need to shame the government for using violence and intimidation against villagers who are just trying to preserve their livelihoods."
How China's Belt and Road Initiative is affecting Shan communities in north Myanmar
"The majority of the people are worried about losing their homes, farmlands and water resources. Some people voiced concerns about losing natural resources and heritage places."
Masterminds behind Ampatuan massacre convicted but campaign against impunity continues in the Philippines
"The past ten years have galvanized us, fortified our ranks. After the massacre, killings of journalists continued. Fifteen of our colleagues have been gunned down under this administration."
New network of journalists vows to promote press freedom and independent media in Cambodia
"Our free press is insufficiently protected and is under constant threat."
The intertwined origins of ‘kawaii’ and Japanese queer culture
"A major part of Rune's work that's rarely discussed is the work he did for the magazine Barazoku [...],the first mass-market magazine that catered to same-sex attracted men in Japan.
Popular ‘Nausicaä’ animated movie from Japan performed as kabuki play
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, one of Japan's most popular animated films, will be performed as a kabuki play in December, 2019 in Tokyo.
11 birthdays in a prison: Interview with the daughter of Vietnamese dissident Tran Huynh Duy Thuc
"Whether by appeal for cassation review or by a resubmission request, we will fight until his release, to ensure that human rights are honored in Vietnam."
Chinese netizens slam Huawei’s legal bullying of former employee with a series of codes
Li Hongyuan, a former Huawei employee, was arrested by the Shenzhen police after Huawei accused him of extortion. He was detained for 251 days.
After struggling for 20 years, a Mon-language newspaper in Myanmar is fighting to survive
The Guiding Star newspaper, an important news source for ethnic Mon, is struggling to keep its doors open as news goes digital and as its audience of Mon-language speakers declines.



















