· December, 2008

Stories about East Asia from December, 2008

Japan: The early salaryman catches the worm

  22 December 2008

Blogger Yoshihara (吉原) at Engineer Live no Henshûchô (エンジニアLiveの編集長) comments about a new trend which is spreading among Japanese salarymen. As a response to the Japanese practice of working overtime from morning to night without rest, many white collar workers seem to have decided to dedicate the first hours of...

Madagascar, Kenya question wisdom of foreign land deals

  21 December 2008

Following national and international outrage, the land deal that would have let South Korean firm Daewoo Logistics lease a large swath of Madagascar's arable land, was finally rejected. However, the number of reported land deals between wealthy countries and developing nations continues to grow, and bloggers wonder if these deals will really benefit the interests of ordinary people.

Japan, Brazil: A centenary of Japanese Immigration to Brazil.

  20 December 2008

In June 1908, the Japanese ship Kasato Maru docked in the Port of Santos after a 52-day voyage, bringing the first Japanese families to Brazil. A hundred years later and after a hard period of adaptation, Japanese and Japanese-Brazilians reflect on the history and cultural heritage of this cross ocean cultural mix.

Korea: Teenage Rape and Parents’ Responsibility

  20 December 2008

A teenager who has suffered from attention deficit disorder raped a seven year old girl. Having a previous record, the 18 year old was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the court. An interesting decision that the court made this time was to make his parents responsible for not...

China: Nationwide Teachers’ Strike

  19 December 2008

Since this October, teachers in Sichuan, Chongqing, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guangdong went on strike, demanding a salary raise. According to local media report, the strike started from Sichuan Pi Region (陴縣) in Sep 23, teachers demanded local government to follow national law (such as Teachers Law) and raise...

Malaysia: To Live By The Slopes

  19 December 2008

Within the period of two days, two landslides caused much damage and death in Kuala Lumpur. This perhaps might not have made such major headlines had it not occurred just a few days to the 15th anniversary of the Highland Towers tragedy, which caused the deaths of 48 people.

Thailand: Academic calls for rule of law

  19 December 2008

Bangkok Pundit has posted a statement from Thongchai Winichakul calling for rule of law in Thailand as a means to end conflict. Bangkok Pundit also criticises the National Human Rights Commission.

Indonesia: Solving cybercrime

  19 December 2008

Police authorities in Jakarta have a proposal on how to eliminate cybercrime: Internet cafes would be requested to record their customers’ IDs in a guest book to prevent cyber crime.

Malaysia: Cycling for change

  19 December 2008

After two weeks of journey through the states of Malaysia, cyclists who joined the “Cycling For Change” campaign entered the Parliament complex yesterday to bring forward their demands to the representatives.

Myanmar: Killing of elephants for trade

  19 December 2008

According to BurmaNet News, an increasing number of elephants in northern Myanmar are being killed for its ivory and skin for over a decade. Myanmar has the largest elephant population in Southeast Asia.

Japan: 2008 Politics

  19 December 2008

Neojaponisme has a roundup on 2008 Japan Politics, in particular concerning the dynamics within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

China: Commissioner scrutinized by netizen detectives

  18 December 2008

Zhou, Commissioner of Housing Bureau in Nanjing, stopped developers from cutting down the real estate price, claiming it was for the sake of people. But rebukes never stop as what people expect is right the opposite. Netizen detectives set out to run after clues of corruption from past news reports and pictures, from which two crucial evidences show up: cigarettes and watches. They even find out that he has a brother who is exactly a developer.

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.