Stories about East Asia from April, 2015
China Finally Releases Five Detained Feminist Activists
But they are not free yet. The five will be under police surveillance for a year.
Japan’s ‘Compassionate Pugilist’ Gives Training and Hope to Poor Filipino Boxers
There are thousands of amateur Filipino boxers who wanted to be like world champion Manny Pacquiao but many of them remain poor and lack proper training.
How a Celebrity's Facebook Check-In Brought Down a Brigade in Taiwan
After the photos of the unauthorized tour to Apache helicopters AH-64E were posted on Facebook, 18 militant officials were disciplined.
An Aggressive Turn in Chinese Censorship Practices: ‘The Great Cannon’
"It is likely that this attack, with its potential for political backlash, would require the approval of high-level authorities within the Chinese government."
Malaysia’s New Law Targets Online Sedition
"This latest curtailment of freedom of expression further restricts public discourse and will create a void in Malaysian social media and a deafening silence in news forums."
Meet One of the Few American Women Married to a Japanese Man
Among "international marriages" in Japan, US husbands outnumber US wives 6 to 1. Tracy Slater, who left Boston to marry a Japanese man, is one of those wives.
Do Japanese People Really Have a Low Opinion of Americans?
USA Today found the one nugget of negativity in a new Pew survey comparing Japanese and American attitudes about each other and made that the headline.
One Month on, China Ignores International Calls for Release of Detained Feminist Activists
Some observers believe the arrest of the five women's rights activists last month are related to a wider crackdown on NGOs in China, in particular those with strong overseas connections.
Thailand’s New Security Law ‘Annihilates Freedom of Expression’
Thailand's military-backed government lifted martial law in the country but signed a new order which gave broad powers to army personnel.
In China, ‘Cooperative Marriage’ Means a Gay Man and a Lesbian Woman Wed Each Other
The unions are seen as a way around intense parental pressure to get hitched and to produce a grandchild. They also seem to be gaining in popularity.
Photographer Shows How it Feels to Ride in Singapore's Crowded Trains
"The camera gave me a chance to see what my eye would have missed – a collective portrait of Singapore, always in transit."
A Day After Martial Law Was Lifted, Patani Students Arrested in South Thailand
"We hope to see more calling for the freedom of our fellow students."
In Conflict with China's Internet Security Regulator, Chinese Techies Side with Google, Mozilla
Chinese social media users are openly expressing support for the decision of both Google and Mozilla to revoke security certificates issued by China's Internet Network Information Center.
Should We Pity the Poor Western Man ‘Trapped’ in Japan?
Social media users have not been kind to an article in Japan Times titled "Spare a thought for the Western men trapped in Japan" explaining the difficulties Western men face.
Is Blackface in Japan a Form of Racism or Respect?
Japanese bands RATS & STAR and Momoiro Clover Z recently appeared in blackface on TV. Removed from its American context, some argue blackface in Japan isn't intended to be racist.
Spreading the Seed of Permaculture from Timor-Leste to the Tropical World
A crowdfunding campaign aims at making The Tropical Permaculture Guidebook a reality - a practical reference guide for implementing permaculture techniques that are specific to tropical climates.
After 6 Months, Portugal’s Tiago Guerra Is Still in Jail, Awaiting Trial in Timor-Leste
And when his sister finally came to know about her brother's health condition, "his weight had already dropped 10 kilos [about 22 pounds] due to extreme dehydration and high temperatures."
Cherry Blossoms Help Japanese Town Shake Off Tsunami Sorrow
Cherry blossom season means more than just pretty photos published on social media. It's a time for Japanese people to reflect, hope, dream, and come to terms with loss.
About our East Asia coverage
Oiwan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
Nevin Thompson is the Japan editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
