Stories about East Asia from June, 2007
China: Flood and Drought
Kenneth T from Shanghaiist reports on the extreme weather in China: worst drought in 30 years in North East China, floods in Central China and super hot in North West.
Japan: Anti-freeze Toothpaste and Toxic Thomas
Last week, reports emerged that two Japanese companies were recalling thousands of Chinese toothpaste products sold to hotels across the country after the health ministry reported finding that they contained chemicals used in anti-freeze. At the same time, Sony announced that it was recalling 43,000 “Thomas the Tank Engine” wooden toys, which were found to be covered in paint with excessive levels of lead. Bloggers in Japan reacted with anger and disbelief.
Japan: parents’ involvement in after-school daycare centers
After-school daycare centers play an important role in providing children of working parents with a safe environment to spend their after school hours. A blogger shares her experience with one of those services and her frustration. [Ja]
Cambodia: Blogs sharply criticize donor meetings
Hun Sen promised to purge his government of corrupt officials, pleaded for more aid, and was granted his wish, without question, by the international donor community. The decision comes directly after a slew of charges against the Cambodian government, which includes evidence of illegal logging and severe human rights violations.
China: Nailhouse 2: Residents fight back
Unlike the Chongqing Nailhouse which was demolished earlier this year, some residents of an entire nailbuilding in eastern China came to an impasse with police this past week; blogger photos and accounts from the scene suggest they won't be leaving without a fight.
90 degree bow
90 degree bow from a department store clerk in the middle of the street. Not so comfortable? How much kindness should be shown? [ko]
Tofu and ketchup sauce
For the weekend, tofu, ketchup sauce, and fresh vegetables? Follow the photo instructions.[ko]
Kimchi is good for a person who suffers from constipation
Do you know about Kimchi? Every kind and all kimchi-related knowledge are here. Check this blog out. It even talks about why kimchi is good for a person who suffers from constipation.
Have you been pressed by scissors?
Have you been pressed by scissors? In the middle of sleeping, have you felt that you have some nightmares and your body doesn’t move at your will? It’s expressed in Korean as “you’re pressed by scissors” A blog gives tips on how not to be pressed by scissors [ko].
Korea: Military Service
Military service in Korea: Is there any topic more sensitive? And draft dodger? And even a public figure? That spells death in society. Several years ago, a popular male singer chose American citizenship in order to evade military service. After it was exposed, he is still not allowed to return...
Japan: Reactions to the Nova Suspension
Nova, the largest English language school operator in Japan and well-known for its fuzzy pink mascot, is in dire straights, having been ordered last week to suspend part of its operations for six months after it was found to have deceived its students and violated consumer protection laws. Bloggers in Japan offer their reactions.
Indonesia: Visit Museums
Noelbynature links to a news article that has Indonesian president urging the people the visit museums. The blogger describes the changing nature of museums from the colonial times to the current days.
Malaysia: Cartoon Characters in Parliament
Malaysian blogger Cowboy Caleb feels with Malaysian parliamentarians around, one does not need to watch cartoon network.
Singapore: Making Singaporeans Happy
Tan Kin Lian shares his tips on how to lead a happy life in competitive Singapore. The blogger invites readers to add to his list of tips.
Hong Kong: The Absence of Decolonalization
Leung Man Tao from inmediahk.net discussed why decolonalization hadn't been an agenda since the reunification of Hong Kong with China: Under the principle of “One country Two System” and “50 years Unchange”, the political system in Hong Kong has inherited everything from the colonial Hong Kong. The decolonialization of Hong...
China: Art of Banality
Tiger temple from 1510 explains the meaning of art of Banality (豔俗藝術) (zh) which is a parody of banality especially under the context that the banal class has controlled the society and reproduced its culture in every aspect of life and production.
Hong Kong: Internet Marketing
Sidekick writes about the effect of internet marketing in promoting a TV serie “Heart of Greed”, however much of the youtube video clips have been taken down because of the complaints made by the TV company: If so, then it would seem that TVB still does not get Internet marketing...
Japan: Cellphone recycling bins
Edo from Pink Tentacle blogs about cell phone companies’ plan to equip convenience stores with cellphone recycling bins, making it easier for people to recycle their unwanted handsets.
South Korea: Inequality, Empolyment Outlook
Jamie from Two Koreas blogs about the increase in income gap in South Korea and two stories about Chaebol's labour management, including companies strategies for intervening in a union election and Samsung's labour training for mass game.
South Korea: the Mismatch between an Imagined North Korea and the Real Role of the USFK
An article posted at SavePTfarmer on the imagined North Korea threat for creating a state-of-the-art “strategic hub” south of Seoul in accordance with the United States’ plan for the realignment and strategic flexibility of the USFK.
Japan: Pearl Harbor Never Happened
Soon after the denial of the existence of forced prostitution (comfort woman), 100 lawmakers in Japan denied the history of a surprise attack by Japanese soliders on the U.S. Pacific Fleet in 1941 and demanded that photographs portraying the Japanese military in a negative light be removed from U.S. war...
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