TAYLOR BOSVELD WRITES – Why is there a war memorial in the middle of Tokyo honoring people who committed wartime atrocities? Why has the ex-Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, recently visited the war memorial for the second time in as many months since stepping down? The first visit drew…
Full Article JAPAN: WHY SHOULDN’T THE EX-PRIME MINISTER HONOR THE DEAD?
LIAM ROGERS WRITES — The people and government of Pakistan are protesting French President Emmanuel Macron’s response to the killing of a French high school teacher, Samuel Paty, on October 16th, as well as Macron’s anti-separatism bill signed into law October 2. Meanwhile.the French government has begun closing mosques, naming…
Full Article PAKISTAN: ISLAMOPHOBIA TAKES TO THE STREETS
LEXIE TUCKER WRITES – In a piece from The Japan Times, Columbia University’s Gerald Curtis states that, “the [Japanese] government doesn’t have to muzzle the press if the press takes it upon itself to do the muzzling.” Shigeaki Koga, an ex-bureaucrat at Japan’s Ministry of the Economy, wants to tear…
Full Article JAPAN: Committing Journalistic Seppuku
LEXIE TUCKER WRITES – Stop to think about what it means to live in a democracy and freedom of the press will likely come to mind. Journalists being able to speak out about societal wrongs is vital to improving society and expanding the minds of the people they serve. But…
Full Article JAPAN: The Pen is Mightier than the Government
YVONNE EPPS WRITES— Vietnam has come a long way since the start of the year. We’ve seen major progress with the acceptance of social media and dips with press freedom, but the road is still jagged and, if they don’t watch their step, they might end up hurt. The Economist reported…
Full Article VIETNAM: Of Progressive Leaps and Jagged Passes
LEXIE TUCKER WRITES– If China, South Korea, and Japan were humans instead of countries, you might say their relationship status would be “It’s Complicated.” The three are geographical neighbors, and treat each other as such – they are cordial when they need to be, but behind closed doors are not…
Full Article CHINA, SOUTH KOREA, and JAPAN: To Face the Future, Respect the Past
JOHN PO WRITES – Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew passed away peacefully on March 23. As Singapore observed her final day of mourning, the legacy that he leaves behind is one that can be seen in the modern city that is home to 7 million. Mr. Lee has…
Full Article SINGAPORE: Through Loss, a Nation Gains Its Spirit: In Memory of Lee Kuan Yew
YVONNE EPPS WRITES— Today’s generation would find it hard to imagine life without social media. And at least some people in the government seem to have caught on. According to TuoiTreNews, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung stated that authorities must provide “official and accurate information in a timely manner on…
Full Article VIETNAM: A Step in the Right Direction for Social Media Freedom
ADRIAN NARAYAN WRITES– Leaning towards All India Radio, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stresses to India’s youth on the issue of drug use. PM Modi wants to start a movement that is intended for a #DrugFreeIndia through the means of social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and even the…
Full Article INDIA: Drugs = Darkness, Destruction, and Devastation
LEXIE TUCKER WRITES – On October 19, Japanese media was quick to announce the resignation of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi after claims that groups supporting her had misused political funds. If anybody knows how to handle a scandal, it’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’ and his team. Since…
Full Article JAPAN: From Dollars to DisgraceLEXIE TUCKER WRITES – “Forgive and forget” is often easier said than done. When two countries have as rough a history as South Korea and Japan, it’s not surprising that tensions would be high between their leaders. For years, South Korea has requested that Japan offer compensation to the many…
Full Article JAPAN: Leaving the Past in the Past?LEXIE TUCKER WRITES – Is it English or ego? Former Prime Minister and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Organizing Committee President Yoshiro Mori sparked controversy at a news conference held at the Main Media Center for the Sochi Games when questioned about why he spoke in Japanese rather than English. Mori,…
Full Article JAPAN: Language and Gender Spark Debate at 2020 Olympic Press Conference
AMBER VERNETTI WRITES – The government of Prime Minister Tony Abbot hopes to sever the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s ties to its international broadcasting service, the Australian Network. As reported in The Guardian, Julie Bishop, the foreign affairs minister, has questioned the overall quality of the Australian Network’s service and contends it may…
Full Article AUSTRALIA: Let’s Keep it Classy, ABCYVONNE EPPS WRITES – What do police patrols, food, and WiFi have in common? No, it’s not cops eating donuts while browsing Tumblr on their smartphones, but rather Vietnam’s obsession with tourism. From promoting the country as the “kitchen of the world” to protecting tourists from robbers, Vietnam is concerned…
Full Article VIETNAM: An Extreme Obsession with TourismE.J. DE LARA WRITES – Imagine any phone conversation, text message or other form of communication people use daily. Now imagine a law that lets Big Brother monitor it all. Throughout June, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key pushed for a new bill that would essential do that — allowing…
Full Article NEW ZEALAND: Threat to Net Privacy AppearsPosting unflattering Facebook messages about Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has landed another person in hot water. On July 12, The Daily Star: Lebanon reported that Bangladesh police jailed Shariful Islam after he posted to his Facebook page an edited picture of the female prime minister’s face superimposed on a partially-naked…
Full Article BANGLADESH: Throwing the (Face)Book at the Prime Minister!