Stories about East Asia from August, 2009
Japan: What to do with “Media Arts”
For a nation working to capitalize its “soft power”, what is the role of anime and manga culture in governmental policies? The official answer is that anime, manga and digital art is both an important heritage and high-growth industry, requiring an official hub for preservation and presentation. Throw in a...
China admits organ harvesting as main source of transplantation
C.A. Yeung highlights China Daily's recent report which admitted that executed prisoners had been the source of more than 65 percent organ transplantation performed in China. The blogger points out that the quoted statistics could be regarded as state secret.
China: Mobile phone and Dissent 2.0
Uln from Chinayouren blogs about his experience in getting dissent messages asking people to quit CCP via mobile phone.
Japan’s Medical System
In response to the New York Times’ blog Q&A about the health care systems of the world, Cruzon from Mutant frog blogs about his experience in Japan's medical system, which is full of flaws.
Japan: 74-year-old American tourist detained for carrying pocket knife
James from Japan Probe updated the news story about a 74-year-old American tourist being detained for 10 days because he was carrying pocket knife.
China: Cheap money policy
The China Vortex has an article about China's money policy: the trouble with this policy is that it turns companies whose growth is based on cash flow into speculators.
Taiwan: Post-typhoon reconstruction attracts criticism
After Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan earlier this month claiming hundreds of lives and making thousands homeless, the government is pushing forward a recovery plan. Michael Turton writes that the Ma government's post-typhoon reconstruction plan is a shock doctrine.
Japan: I won`t vote
The general elections will be held on the 30th of August but many Japanese won`t vote. One of these, at takuyaonline, gives vent to his frustration [ja] against the rotten political class and the decadence of the Japanese society in a post titled I won`t go to vote (選挙には行かない) .
Paraguay: Blogger in Japan
Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] interviews Paraguayan blogger Rodrigo Yoshio Murayama of Vicento's Shrine [es], who has been living in Japan.
Laos: Expensive face masks
As A(H1N1) panic continues to grip the world, the cost of face masks continues to rise as well. Laos citizens are complaining.
Laos: Patuxay Monument
Patuxay Monument in Vientiane is the most famous symbol of Laos nationhood. It is always compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
Laos: Foreign languages in schools
Laos students are required to study French and English languages. In some border areas, Chinese and Vietnamese languages are also taught to students.
Cambodia's new prison center
The Cambodian government plans to build the country's biggest prison center which can house more than 2,500 inmates.
Cambodia: Traffic protest
Motorists and tuk tuk drivers in Cambodia staged a protest against the traffic police for confiscating the motorbikes of those who violate traffic laws.
Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity
The Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity is an organization in Cambodia working with survivors of acid attacks. Many victims of acid attacks in Cambodia are women.
China: Free speech under control 2.0
David Bandurski translated an article from CCP mouthpiece publication, Qiushi, on “Freedom of Speech and the Media’s Responsibility”. The article showed the Chinese government's desire for a fair share in the global public opinion.
China: The Death of the Internet Addict Youth
ESWN translated a Southern Metropolis Daily article about the death of a young man at an Internet addict healing camp. The article got the editor fired from his job.
Taiwan: Stories of the survivors from Typhoon Morakot
Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan on 8 August. The heavy rain it brought to Taiwan has caused serious damage across the country, with thousands of people evacuated from their homes. Stories abound on the internet.
Hong Kong: Poll on drug tests
Libertines Hong Kong has a very interesting post on the background of research institute, Hong Kong Research Association, which recently released a research founding that 70% of Hong Kong pupils support drug tests.
Singapore: Taxi driver-blogger is a PhD graduate
He is a Singaporean taxi driver, blogger, and PhD holder from Stanford University. Singapore netizens describe him as the “most educated taxi driver in the world.” His name is Dr. Mingjie Cai.
Indonesia: Soeharto's son aims to be president?
Hutomo Mandala Putra, the youngest son of former Indonesian President Soeharto, returns to the political arena with a bang. He seeks chairmanship of his father's political party Golkar. Indonesian bloggers speak about this political twist in the archipelagic country.
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