· June, 2009

Stories about East Asia from June, 2009

Preetam Rai interview

  27 June 2009

GV author Preetam Rai was interviewed by Syed Syahrul Zarizi of Malaysia about his online projects and his thoughts on blogging and travel.

Japan: Chinese Translation of 2channel

  27 June 2009

Takeshi Yamaya links to 2ch Kan Riben (2ch看日本), a blog that posts Chinese translations of interesting threads from the Japanese Internet forum 2channel. He appreciates the thoughtful observations made by their commenters.

Singapore: Infamous Burger King ad

  26 June 2009

Burger King has a new sandwich offering in Singapore called the “Super Seven Incher.” To promote the new product, a local ad agency produced an outdoor ad which is now getting a lot of attention and criticism around the world.

Laos: Strange pineapples on display

  26 June 2009

Two strange pineapples, one shaped like a dragon and the other shaped like a heart, are on display in a temple in Laos. The pineapples harvested from a Vientiane farm are drawing huge crowds everyday.

China's youngest mayor questioned

  26 June 2009

An interesting battle over the youngest mayor in China is going on the internet. Netizens tried their best to find out evidence of illegitimacy of the mayor's rocketing promotion but the official media strike back forcefully. Internet supervision on Chinese officials is going through a new test.

China: Calling for volunteers

  26 June 2009

Sichuan Quake-relief.org is now calling for volunteers to teach summer course for the kids in temporary villages in Sichuan.

China: Internet boycott on July 1st?

  25 June 2009

ESWN translated Ai Weiwei's call for internet boycott on July 1st and some other opposite opinions on the boycott action. There are other actions call, such as this 2009 Declaration of the Anonymous Netizens.

Taiwan: Burning of the Plague God Boat

  24 June 2009

Burning of Plague God Boat is a local religious ritual in many parts of Taiwan. Instead of showing you a grand event, photo blogger, YangPhoto, takes us to one of the smallest ritual in Da Jiou, a small fishing village in Pingdong.

Thailand: Thousands affected by train strike

  24 June 2009

Thousands of passengers were affected by the two-day nationwide train strike launched by employees of the State Railway of Thailand. The workers were protesting a cabinet resolution which they claim would lead to the privatization of the railway company. A survey shows that majority of Thais are upset with the strike.

Indonesia: Disappointing Election Debate

  23 June 2009

Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim populated country, conducted its first ever presidential election debate. The country's three presidential hopefuls attended the debate. But many viewers and bloggers were disappointed with the debate.

China: More corpses found in Shishou hotel; disputes continue.

  23 June 2009

The death of a chef triggered a mass protest that finally brought over ten thousand armed police into the town for crackdown. The dead’s families along with thousands of people resisted the police and protected the corpse, because they know once the body was taken away, the death would be identified as a suicide and the truth will be lost forever.

Japan: On How to Perceive the Japanese Web (Part One)

  23 June 2009

Reporter Yuka Okada from the Japanese tech news site ITmedia brandished her well-regarded interviewing skills for a one-on-one session with Mochio Umeda. The result was “The Japanese web is ‘disappointing': An interview with Mr. Mochio Umeda” Part One and Part Two [ja]. In reaction, the Japanese blogosphere had to give...

Metropolis TV and Hivos: Independent People Videos

Metropolis TV is a Hivos and VPRO TV project based in the Netherlands, which brings together film-makers and civil video journalists from all over the world to record and transmit different aspects of life and culture in their homeland. Following, a few videos selected and played on the Netherlands TV station VPRO forWorld Humanist Day around a specific subject: to recognize individuals who live under the ideal of independence and being in control of their own lives.

Philippines: A(H1N1) panic continues to grow

  23 June 2009

Asia’s first A(H1N1)-related death is a Filipina from Metro Manila. This was confirmed by health authorities who also warned that 25 percent of the country’s 90 million population could be affected by the dreaded influenza virus. More schools have suspended their classes to protect the health and safety of their students.

About our East Asia coverage

Oiwan Lam
Oiwan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Mong Palatino
Mong Palatino is the South East Asia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.