Stories about East Asia from November, 2009
Japan: Peak oil crisis and organic farming
Martin J Frid from Kurashi reports on a discussion on the projected peak oil crisis and the example of Ogawa organic farming project in prepare for the future.
China: Children who are left behind
On November 12, several days before the International Children's Day, an explosion erupted in an illegal fire cracker factory in Guangxi which resulted in 2 children workers dead and 11 others injured. According to the Southern Weekend's report, these children victims were left behind by their parents, who are migrant...
Slovakia: Mobile Internet Providers Put an End to Internet Neutrality
This month, a second Slovak mobile internet provider has kept its promise and started filtering internet access for its customers. While officially the goal is to block child porn, things aren't as simple as they appear. Tibor Blazko reviews the reactions of concerned Slovak netizens.
Japan: Secondhand books to loose yourself in
Photographer Damoncoulter presents some pictures of the Secondhand Book Fair in Shimbashi (Tokyo). In the heart of the Tokyo business district, the fair (held in middle November) was mostly attended by “salarymen” looking for rare pieces of literature to read on the way home.
China: Endless search for distinguished talent
China Hush has a blog post on a new selection system adopted by Peking university to pick up talented students.
China: Protest against garbage incinerator
Cochina posts a series of videos showing yesterday's protest against the construction of garbage incinerator in Guangzhou Panyu. ESWN has translated the details of the protest.
Japanese concepts through images and videos
Lee at Tokyo Times defines the Japanese notions of wabi-sabi through photographs while the Through Eyes From Afar blog posts some videos to explain the concept of tsundere and yandere.
Japan: Images of Minanamata Disease
@Minori_okd points us to the photographic work MINAMATA by W. Eugene Smith and Ailejjen M. Smith that covers the Minamata Disease.
Philippines: TV Ads of Presidential Candidates
Election season has started in the Philippines. Check out the TV ads of presidential candidates which have been uploaded on YouTube.
Malaysia-Singapore Water Agreements Under Review
Singapore sources about half of its water supply from its neighbor, Malaysia. It has two major water agreements with Malaysia. One of these agreements will expire two years from now. Malaysia’s former Prime Minister, through his blog, asks if the current government will negotiate for a better deal.
Malaysia: Selling sand to Singapore
A Malaysian blogger asks if the ban on selling sand to Singapore is still in effect.
China and Japan: Feng Zhenghu at Narita airport
Shanghai human rights activist Feng Zhenhu has been living and waiting in the hall of Japan's Narita airport since November 4 when he was barred from entering his own country by the Shanghai immigration the eighth times. Feng is an economist and a human rights activist. After the Tiananmen Massacre...
Taiwan: Science park expansion dispute
Recently, the Executive Yuan in Taiwan has passed a bill in favor of Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP) fourth stage expansion. The construction plan has drawn the attention of ecologists and caused heated discussion in the Taiwan blogosphere. Jeremy explains the problem of the construction plan in a blog post...
Morocco: Marrakesh Film Festival to Focus on Korea
The View from Fez reports that the Marrakesh Film Festival plans to screen a record 44 films from South Korea this year.
Malaysia: Democracy and governance
Reacting to a statement made by Malaysia's former Prime Minister about the “mistake of being too democratic”, Art Harun asserts that “The real danger to the State is the leaders not understanding the limits of their powers.”
Vietnam: Taxi fare refund
RantingsbyMM shares a story on how she was able to get back her money from a taxi driver who overcharged her in Vietnam.
Indonesia: Youth, Art, and Nationalism
Many young Indonesians are expressing their nationalism through art.
Indonesia: Some groups want to ban ‘2012’ movie
Several regional branches of the Indonesian Ulema Council want to ban the movie ‘2012’ claiming the film's content is “unsuitable to be viewed by Muslims because only Allah knew when the world would end, not heathens like the Mayans.”
Thailand: Extravagant temple toilets
Richard Burrow from Thailand reported that temple toilets at Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai in Samut Prakan have recently built a toilet which cost as much as 5 million baht.
China and U.S.A: Obama's letter to Southern Weekend
Shizhao has posted Obama's letter to Southern Weekend during his visit in China. Many believe that this letter has something to do with the story about Southern Weekend's missing front page and blank advertisement.
China and U.S.A: IPR Theft
Angry Chinese blogger writes on an intellectual property right dispute case between a Beijing firm Zhongyi Electronic LTD and Microsoft.