Stories about East Asia from June, 2016
Singapore Plans to Pull the Plug on Internet Access for Public Servants
"Computer security is important in the modern workplace, but it should not be an excuse to revert to dumb or blind practice."
Japan's Love Affair With Capybaras
In Japan, there is an online subculture devoted to capybaras, the friendly giant rodent from South America.
Oops! Facebook's Flag Error Unintentionally Puts the Philippines in a ‘State of War’
"Dear @facebook: It's not a happy Independence Day if our flag is like this. Like seriously."
What Sparked the Yan Zhou Unrest? China's Information Deficit in the Spotlight
"The kidnapper becomes the good fellow who tried to stop a fight [...] Who are the blind ones? People from Yan Zhou or state-owned media?"
Quarry Workers in Myanmar Suffer Health Problems, No Compensation
"Most of the workers are internal migrants who return to their homes for treatment when their health problems become unbearable."
US Church Members Stage Roadside Vigil Amid Outrage Over Japanese Woman's Murder
"When I left my hotel and started driving down Route 58, there were Americans standing under the torrid sun with their heads bowed. They seem to be in deep pain."
What Stereotypes Do Europeans Have of Japan? Google Autocomplete Offers a Clue
A new series of maps shows what Europeans may really think of Japan, and what the Japanese people may really think about other parts of the world.
The Quirky Tranquility of Japanese Suburbia in Photos
Japan isn't just Mount Fuji, neon landscapes and bullet trains. One Tumblr photo blog has set out to document the country's quiet residential streets.
Tons of Fish Are Dying Mysteriously in Vietnam. Whales, Too.
For the past two months, tons of fish have washed up dead on the shores of central Vietnam. Seven dead whales, too.
Lancôme Cancels Concert With Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Singer After Pressure From China
"When a company, out of commercial considerations, decides to practice excessive self-censorship, that also generates fear in the community and encourages tyranny's unreasonable behavior."
How Filipinos Remember Muhammad Ali’s ‘Thrilla in Manila’ Boxing Fight
"We lost a giant today. Boxing benefited from Muhammad Ali’s talents but not nearly as much as mankind benefited from his humanity."
The Student Group in Japan That's Made It Cool to Protest
There's a negative image of protesters in Japan, but one student group is changing that.
The Week That Was at Global Voices Podcast: Unsung Heroes
This week, we head to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Japan, Myanmar, Brazil and Syria.
Japanese Are Uploading Photos to Twitter to Prove They Live in the Boonies
From crab crossing signs to pheasant strolling through town, these photos show life in Japanese countryside.
Macedonia's Ruling Party Has Resuscitated Socialist Realism Without the Socialism
Macedonia's ruling party placed an order for more than 50 paintings, depicting key moments in its history, in the manner of the former Communist party.
No Apologies, But Most Japanese View Obama's Historic Visit to Hiroshima Positively
Despite some complaints, most Japanese people appear to have reacted favorably to President Obama's May 27 visit to Hiroshima.
Singapore Police Seize Computers, Demand Passwords From Advocates Over Facebook Posts
"I insisted I wanted to know my rights and whether it was legal for them to do what they were doing. They would not let me speak to [my lawyer]."
Cambodia’s ‘Black Monday’ Campaign Seeks Freedom for Detained Human Rights Activists
"The government’s fear of people wearing colors is ludicrous. Authorities targeted us just for wearing a black T-shirt, which is a peaceful expression of dissent."
Cambodia's Government Mistakes Singapore for Libya in Video Warning Against ‘Excessive Civil Rights’
"The goal of this video is clearly to intimidate ordinary people from the full and peaceful exercise of their human rights."
China Mandates State-Private Management Model to Censor the Internet
China recently introduced a new policy intended to regulate live-streaming platforms. According to business magazine Caixin's report, authorities will soon require popular video streaming platforms to sell between 1 and 10 percent of their shares to a so-called state-owned enterprise, which has the power to oversee the platforms’ production and decision-making. This...
Why Some Chinese Fail to See Racism in Qiaobi's Viral Detergent Commercial
"The Chinese want to be equal with white people, but like white people, they have to achieve their status by standing on top of black people."
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