Stories about East Asia
25 September 2017
Katsura Sunshine Brings the Japanese Art of Comic Storytelling to English-Language Audiences
He's the only officially qualified non-Japanese rakugo professional in the world.
Purple March Unites a Thousand Malaysian Women Against ‘Toxic Politics’
"It was quite a sight to behold. 1,000 people does not sound like a lot, but in Malaysia...protesting is not looked upon kindly..."
23 September 2017
Myanmar Government Vows to Address Refugee Crisis in Rakhine State, but Avoids Saying ‘Rohingya’
"Aung San Suu Kyi today demonstrated that she and her government are still burying their heads in the sand over the horrors unfolding in Rakhine State."
21 September 2017
Human Rights Group Prevented by Police and Anti-Communist Mob From Commemorating 1965 Massacre in Indonesia
"The complete inaction of the police to stop this violence, contributes to the erosion of democracy and violations of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly in Indonesia."
The Perils of Military Engagement Against North Korea
"Any country that considers an attack on North Korea must confront the question of who turned the DPRK into such a defiant rogue nation."
20 September 2017
Speaking of Independence Is Getting Harder for Hong Kongers
"The universities can say they don’t support Hong Kong independence, but students and teachers should have the freedom of speech to discuss Hong Kong independence."
18 September 2017
For Some Stunning Photos of Japan, Check Out Tokyo Camera Club
Whether you live in Tokyo or not, anyone can submit an image to be considered for Tokyo Camera Club's feed, as long as the photo is of someplace in Japan.
16 September 2017
Vending Machines Around the World that Japanese People Find Surprising
Japan is often considered to have some of the world's most unusual vending machines, but there are a few in other countries giving them a run for their money.
15 September 2017
Netizen Report: Online Supporters of Myanmar's Rohingya Face Censorship, Legal Threats
Salvadoran journalists face violent threats on social media, Japanese activists stomp on hateful tweets and Chile doubles down on data retention.
What's the Value of Human Rights? According to the Philippines House of Representatives, $20.
The lower house voted to slash the Commission on Human Rights' budget to just 1,000 pesos, accusing the body of protecting "criminals" over victims in the country's war on drugs.
14 September 2017
Teen Killings Show How Vulnerable Communities Suffer the Brunt of the Philippine Government's ‘War on Drugs’
"This could happen to anyone as Duterte continually encourages the police to kill without due process, plant evidence, and cover up in the course of his bloody 'war on drugs'."
13 September 2017
Taiwanese Activist Was Forced to Confess on Camera to ‘Smearing the Chinese Government,’ Allies Say
"...if you see Lee Mingche confess against his will in court....please forgive him. This is just another drama staged by the Chinese government."
Journalist Faces Defamation Probe for Comparing Indonesia’s Treatment of West Papua with Myanmar's Rohingya
Dandhy posted his comments on Facebook following a rally condemning the Myanmar government for its treatment of Rohingya refugees.
China Makes Chat Group Administrators — i.e. Regular Users — Criminally Liable for Unlawful Messages
Chat group administrators are becoming a key human resource in China's internet control infrastructure.
12 September 2017
Singaporeans Face Police Investigation After Holding Candlelight Vigil for Executed Migrant Worker
When a nonviolent vigil for a man about to be hanged is deemed 'illegal assembly' worthy of a police investigation, it's time to rethink public order and freedom of assembly.
11 September 2017
At Twitter's Tokyo Office, Protesters Stomp on Hateful Tweets
About one hundred demonstrators gathered outside Twitter Japan's Tokyo headquarters to demand that the company do more to rein in harassment and hate speech on its network.
Violence in Northwest Myanmar Sparks an Information War Online with Anti-Rohingya Hate Speech and Fake Photos
Malicious propaganda, hate speech, and false photos are making it difficult to verify information coming from the conflict in northwest Myanmar.
10 September 2017
#PotongSteam: Malaysian Gamers Blast Blocking of Website Over ‘Fight of Gods’ Video Game
"First they come for (political posts), but I am not political. Then they come for the gamers..."
8 September 2017
Muslims in the Former Soviet Union Rally Behind Myanmar's Besieged Rohingya
"They are experiencing what we cannot even imagine! #Rohingyawearewithyou"
As Myanmar Violence Spikes, Why Is India Threatening to Deport 40,000 Rohingya Muslims?
"Surely Modi's government must know of the terrible suffering these Rohingya have fled from."
About our East Asia coverage
Oiwan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
