· May, 2010

Stories about East Asia from May, 2010

China: Dying young in FoxConn

  24 May 2010

SACOM, a NGO in Hong Kong which concerns about labour rights issue, posted an investigative report on the 10 consecutive suicide cases in FoxConn, one of the I-phone subcontractor in China.

East Timor: Portuguese Language in Debate

  23 May 2010

A heated discussion is taking place in the Timorese blogosphere regarding the implications of the adoption of Portuguese as one of the official languages in East Timor, along with Tetum. Kirsty Sword Gusmão, Goodwill Ambassador for Education, and spouse of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, reacts showing her concerns about education...

Japan: PacMan, still a hit after 30 years

  23 May 2010

When it was released in 1980, Pac-Man captured the world's attention and transformed the video game industry. Now Pac-Man is back to celebrate his 30th birthday, and he's popping up in unexpected places. In blogs and on Twitter, Japanese reflect on the game that launched their country to the forefront of the global video game industry.

Japan: Can Twitter help to prevent suicides?

  23 May 2010

Considered the dramatic increase of young victims who decide to commit suicide every year, some bloggers debate on the use of twitter to promote dialogue and help in suicide prevention.

Taiwan: Responses to Thailand's upheaval, if there is any

  22 May 2010

Taiwan is no stranger in terms of “Red Shirts” and street protests. In September, 2006, the island had its own anti-corruption campaign which also involved about one million red-shirt protesters demonstrating against the former President Chen Shui-bain (who has been still under custody since Nov.12, 2008). And when the first...

East Timor: Short Story Competition in Tetum

  21 May 2010

Istoria Timor Short Story Competition in Tetum language is running until the end of June. The concept notes from the previous edition offer an overview to literacy and language in East Timor and can be found in this post.

Thailand: Blog reactions to Bangkok violence

  21 May 2010

Bangkok is now under full government control after government troops successfully removed the Red Shirt protest barricades in the city. Here are several blog reactions from Bangkok about the raging political crisis in the country

Revolutionizing the Indonesian music industry

  20 May 2010

Blogger Wibisono Sastrodiwiryo believes that in the  near future, accessible broadband connection will revolutionize the Indonesian music industry to a point where major labels can't stick to their old anti-piracy tunes [id].

365 Great Stuff from the Philippines

  20 May 2010

365 Great Pinoy Stuff makes “a random list of Filipino stuff that makes Filipinos proud, happy, nostalgic, elated, high, inspired, hungry, hopeful, confident, comforted, excited, intrigued, entertained, mystified, homesick– you name it, all the feel good experiences we ought to have.”

Japan: Buddhist Pet Funerals

  19 May 2010

The Quirky Japan Blog introduces some actions a pet owner can take following the loss of a beloved pet, in a post titled “Buddhist Pet Funerals“.

“Black Planet Award” goes to…Formosa Plastics Group, Taiwan

  19 May 2010

“The Formosa Plastics Group is the world’s largest manufacturer of PVC, its CO2 emissions constitute one quarter of all emissions in Taiwan and with its special dispensations from the government and close cooperation with officials the tax rates for three of the major FPG companies pay less than 10% taxes...

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.