Stories about East Asia from November, 2013
General Motors’ Headquarters Move Out of China
China Law Blog's guest writer Greg Anderson commented on the recent announcement on General Motors’ decision to move its international headquarters from Shanghai to Singapore. To answer the question, the writer asked why did GM move its headquarter to China back in 2004. In hindsight, it seems GM became overly...
‘Kill the Man, Rape My Girlfriend’ Singapore's Army Removes Violent Lyrics from Marching Song
The verse 'Kill the man, rape my girlfriend' is now banned in the Singapore army marching song.
South Korea: Suffering of the Sacrificial ‘Wide Goose Fathers’
‘Wide Goose Father’ is a commonly-used term in South Korea referring to sacrificial fathers who send their wife and children abroad for better education, but themselves remain in South Korea to work and cover all the expenses. The number of wild goose fathers has been steadily increasing over the years...
Japan's Open Data Policy Still Needs Work
Even though the Japanese government is working toward advancing its open data policy, the country has a ways to go, ranking 30th out of 70 countries, according to an index compiled by Open Knowledge Foundation. Masahiko Shoji of Open Knowledge Foundation Japan writes: 日本は、政府支出、企業登記情報、交通時刻表、立法の分野で低い評価を受けました。また、どの項目もオープンライセンスの採用については「Yes」の評価を得ませんでした。これらの課題は6月に発表されたG8諸国における速報の時点と同じであり、日本の取り組みが大きくが進んでいないことを表しています。 Japan's open data on government spending, company register,...
Taiwan: Virgin Mary With an Aboriginal Face Tattoo
It is not difficult to find a tattoo figure of Blessed Virgin Mary, but a statue of Blessed Virgin Mary with facial tattoo is rarely seen.
COP19: Fasting For The Climate
Bloggers and Twitter users attending the summit are reacting to Yeb Saño's hunger strike to pressure for meaningful progress at the UN climate talks.
‘Japanese Banksy’ Bashes Nuclear Industry With Street Art
Anonymous Japanese street artist 281_Anti Nuke takes inspiration from his British counterpart Banksy to take on Tokyo Electric Power Company, the operator of the crippled nuclear plant in Fukushima prefecture. You can see more of 281_Anti Nuke's works on his website.
Chinese Netizens Say Farewell to American Embassador Gary Locke
What is the reason behind the resignation of Gary Locke, the American ambassador to China? Chinese netizens are wondering.
Chinese Netizens Confused by China's Reform Plans
TeaLeafNation translated some Chinese netizens’ reactions to the document released after the Third Plenum, a high-level meeting to discuss China’s future development. Many Chinese find the document, called Plenum Communiqué confusing and vague. For example, one comment says: I can’t understand why after a meeting lasting three days, the only thing they...
Monitoring Media Bias in Malaysia
Tessa Houghton shares the findings of a study which monitored media bias in Malaysia during the 13th General Elections a few months ago: Malaysian citizens who relied on English and Bahasa Malaysia newspapers and/or television as their media source/s during the GE13 campaign were not provided with fair and accurate...
South Koreans in US Hold Candlelight Vigil Over Spy Agency Scandal
South Koreans living in the United States held a candlelight vigil in Times Square, New York, denouncing the state spy agency's interference with the latest presidential election. @Metempirics posted photos and a video clip of the protest.
Largest South Korean Church's Embezzlement Scandal Just Got Worse
"Does this sound to you like something a pastor would do? Or more like a cult leader?"
China, Stop Calling Uyghur Muslims Terrorists
Uyghur people are more and more often associated with the term "terrorist" in China. Such labeling has turned random individual criminal acts into the collective responsibility of an ethnic minority.
China to Ease One-child Policy
Off-beat China translated some Chinese netizens reactions to the loosening up one-child policy. The new “long-term balanced development of the population” approach will give more autonomy for city residents to have more than one child. However, many find the ease not really helpful. For example, one comment says: A second...
What Are Xi's Plans for China's Media?
David Bandurski from China media project looked into the media policy of the new leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, in particular after the Third Plenum meeting. Against the background of the setting up of a new national security committee, the question to be addressed is: How might the Party...
Rising Indonesian Economy Must Address Food Security Issue
John McCarthy and Zahari Zen urge the Indonesian government to implement ‘transformative policies’ to solve hunger and food insecurity in the country: The food produced is too expensive, leaving poor households vulnerable. Today, even in rural areas, the majority of people are net food buyers. This is why the poor...
How Social Media is Changing Cambodian Politics
Colin Meyn explains how the ‘rapid spread of social media is altering Cambodia’s political landscape.’ The young electorate desirous of change plus the aggressive campaigning of the opposition in the Internet made a huge impact in the recent elections. Interestingly, the Prime Minister also mentioned Facebook several times in his...
Insulting a Dead King is a Crime in Thailand
David Streckfuss cites a Thailand Supreme Court ruling about a Lese Majeste (anti-royal insult law) case which upheld the verdict against a citizen who reportedly defamed a dead king: Although the [defamatory] action was against a past king who had already passed on, it is still a violation….The defamation of...
Why CNN is Getting Praise and Flak for its Philippine Storm Coverage
CNN is praised for its extensive coverage of the destructive impact left by super typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. But some are not happy with its 'exaggerated' reports
GV Face: Helping Haiyan Survivors in the Philippines
Typhoon Haiyan has killed thousands in central Philippines. This week we speak to our Philippine authors and an aid worker about how we can help.
Kim Jong-Un Found in Hong Kong?
North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un has an impersonator in Hong Kong. Hong Wrong interviewed the Australian Hong Konger, ‘Howard’, who had performed Kim Jong-un for an Israeli burger chain. Howard likes to wander around in Lan Kwai Fong and takes picture with passer-by so don't be surprise to run...