REI KITAGAWA WRITES – Japan Rearmed, authored by the renowned Sheila A. Smith (and recently published by Harvard University Press), offers an extensive and intimate account of U.S.-Japan relations, arguing that the Japanese government is reconsidering its dependence on the United States amidst increasing threats from North Korean missiles and…
Full Article BOOK REVIEW: THE POLITICS OF JAPAN REARMED
ELLA KELLEHER WRITES — It was announced on January 5th that the popular singer from Kazakhstan, Dimash Kudaibergen, will perform at the celebration of US President-Elect Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration. Kudaibergen is best known for his show-stopping performances in China and on The World’s Best, a talent show from the…
Full Article KAZAKHSTAN: KAZAKH POP STAR TO PERFORM AT BIDEN’S 2021 INAUGURATION
SARAH SHARPE WRITES — How did we get here? It is September of 2020. I don’t think I’m alone when I say that this has been one of the most challenging years of my life. It feels as though everything has gone awry, and I know there is still more…
Full Article CORONAVIRUS CHRONICLES: UPS AND DOWNS OF 2020, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
MANAGING EDITOR ZHI JIAO DANIELE GOH WRITES — It’s nearing the end of 2020. Here’s the yearly achievement report of Asia Media International. Viewership Statistics AMI Projects 2020 Articles Our Partners and Upcoming Projects +10
Full Article ASIA MEDIA INTERNATIONAL 2020 ACHIEVEMENT INFOGRAPHIC
SOPHIA JARAMILLO WRITES — In a tweet that sent shockwaves through the internet, conservative commentator and author Candace Owens jabbed at British singer/songwriter/actor Harry Styles, who donned a dress on the cover of American Vogue- the first male to appear on its cover. Specifically, the tweet reads: “There is no…
Full Article EAST ASIA: EAST DOES NOT MEET WEST WHEN IT COMES TO CANDACE OWENS’ LATEST TWEET
MATEO FERNANDEZ WRITES — “Demon Slayer” has made Japanese history in both manga and anime. What is manga, for those who don’t know? Japanese graphic novels or comics that are inherently the building blocks of this uniquely Japanese form of entertainment. Just as in the U.S many movies are based…
Full Article JAPAN: CAN THE NEW ‘DEMON SLAYER’ MOVIE CONQUER THE WORLD?
MONICA KELLY WRITES — On average, a woman spends eight years of her life menstruating – yet the topic of periods remains taboo and is stigmatized in China. This November, in a bid to end ‘period shame,’ women attending Chinese universities set up free sanitary pad dispensers in bathrooms. These…
Full Article CHINA: STOPPING THE BLAME AND SHAME GAME AGAINST WOMEN
GABY RUSLI WRITES — The sweet, milky, smooth, light brown tea. The dark brown, chewy, little bubble-like goodness at the bottom of the plastic cup. The excitement you feel when you’ve stuck your straw into the cup, ready to enjoy this drink that will satisfy your thirst and craving for…
Full Article INDONESIA: BOBA TEA DRINKS MAKE MY HEART BUBBLE WITH JOY
CADY-BREE ABE WRITES — The new Netflix live action “Avatar the Last Airbender” TV series was set for release in 2020, but due to COVID-19, production has been delayed until 2021. Skeptical fans are not optimistic about the outcome. Here’s why. Many fans agree that the introduction to every episode…
Full Article ASIAN FUSION: WILL NETFLIX’S NEXT “AVATAR” SERIES WHITEWASH THE ASIAN-INSPIRED ORIGINAL?
CADY-BREE ABE WRITES — Both audiences and critics alike are over the moon for, yes, Over the Moon, the newest computer animated feature to hit Netflix on October 23. The Chinese film, produced by Peilin Chou (“Kung Fu Panda,” “Abominable”), stars Chinese-Filipina actress/singer Cathy Ang as Fei Fei, American born…
Full Article CHINA: THE NEW ANIMATED FEATURE “OVER THE MOON” OUTSHINES “MULAN”
ELLA KELLEHER WRITES — Lust, Caution (2007) made by the visionary director, Ang Lee, is an erotic espionage film1 that begins in 1938, during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The story of this film has been believed by many to be inspired by true events and the life of a Chinese…
Full Article LOOKING BACK: ‘LUST, CAUTION’ THE GREAT MOVIE
Ella Kelleher is a current senior at Loyola Marymount University, where she majors in English and specializes in multi-ethnic literature. During her college experience, she studied abroad in Japan and contributed to the exchanging of cultures. She has also volunteered at the Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in Los Angeles, where…
Full Article JAPAN: HISTORICAL PERCEPTION OF CHINA AND THE WAR
SOPHIA JARAMILLO WRITES — As the curtains closed on Paris Fashion Week 2020, so did the life of one of Paris’ own: 56-year-long fashion designer Kenzo Takada passed away on October 4th due to complications of coronavirus. Even at the age of 81, the Japanese-born Parisian expatriate Takada’s vividly bright…
Full Article JAPAN: KENZO TAKADA’S FASHIONS WILL LIVE ON AFTER HIS DEATH
LILLY WEBBER WRITES — Virtual YouTubers, or VTubers, are on the rise throughout the international gaming and streaming industry. Originating in Japan, VTubers are typically Japanese entrepreneurs who primarily stream games online for an audience of viewers. However, unlike some streamers, all VTubers are represented by a 2D or 3D…
Full Article CHINESE CENSORSHIP: HAVE FUN, BUT DON’T EVER MENTION TAIWAN
MATEO FERNANDEZ WRITES — Anime is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and has been around for quite some time now. That’s why characters often display traditional Japanese kimonos. Yes, there are Chinese and Korean anime-like shows, but typically anime is Japanese. Anime fans come from all corners of the globe,…
Full Article JAPAN: IS ANTI-ANIME SENTIMENT RACIST?