All Asia Pacific
Japan's 'secret' trip to North Korea disrupts united stance against PyongyangJapan's visit to North Korea comes after broad regional agreement that Pyongyang should not be offered talks unless it displays a genuine commitment to denuclearization.
Japanese politicians scramble to distance themselves from 'comfort women' commentsThe influential mayor of Osaka outraged China and South Korea by saying World War II sex slaves were necessary, prompting fresh doubts about Japan's willingness to acknowledge wartime aggression.
As China's social media takes off, Beijing's censorship campaign heats upA few well-regarded intellectuals known to be critical of the Communist Party have drawn millions of followers on China's Twitter.
Why Taiwan refused Philippines' apology for slain fisherman as insincereTaiwan recalled its top diplomat in Manila and announced that it was no longer accepting applications for Filipino workers, after the Philippine Coast Guard killed a fisherman last week.
Row over slain fisherman strains pair of Pacific alliesBoth the Philippines and Taiwan are trying to look strong, contributing to the rare, quick escalation of a diplomatic scuffle that was started by an incident in a overlapping fishing zone.
Chinese roll their eyes at local footage added to 'Iron Man 3'Chinese audiences were unimpressed by the movie's attempt to win them over by inserting a single extra scene set in China. In the future, experts say, Hollywood will have to be more innovative.
- Long troubled by school bullying, Japan now eyes zero tolerance
Japanese responded to record numbers of severe bullying cases last year, prompting a national outcry and calls for legislation. But a proposed bill doesn’t address schools' intense culture of conformity, critics say.
No backtracking on World War II apologies, Japan PM saysShinzo Abe ruled out speculation that his government might water down Japan's official apologies for aggression and the use of sex slaves during World War II. What's behind the shift in tone?
Focus'Provoking peace' in IndonesiaChristians and Muslims in Ambon, Indonesia, have relearned how to live together after a 1999 - 2002 war killed 5,000 people and displaced half a million.
Why China is welcoming both Israel's Netanyahu and Palestinians' AbbasThe coinciding visits to Beijing of the Israeli prime minister and the Palestinian Authority president this week speak to China's growing interests in the Middle East.
Malaysia's ruling coalition hangs on against winds of changeThe coalition that has governed Malaysia since independence managed to hang on in general elections that threatened to upend the status quo, but with possibly its narrowest margin of victory ever.
Incursion or fair play? Chinese, Indian troops face off along disputed border.Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's choice of India as his first foreign trip seemed to signal a fresh turn between the rivals. But both sides' troops are waving the flag on disputed turf.
All eyes on Kim Jong-un after North Korea gives 15 years' hard labor to US citizenNorth Korea says US citizen Kenneth Bae was conspiring to overthrow the regime. But analysts say the North is likely to use him as a new bargaining chip.
Family of blind activist Chen Guangcheng 'tormented' in ChinaPrison authorities have refused a medical request for the jailed nephew of the prominent human rights activist, highlighting a pattern of persecution of activists' relatives.
As world dials back death penalty, Japan heads in opposite directionTwo gangsters were hanged in Japan last week. More executions are likely under new Prime Minister Abe, who has expressed strong support for the death penalty – and says the public backs him.
US considers end to tariffs in Myanmar: Too soon?Though the country has gone through a series of reforms, Human Rights Watch has recently thrown allegations of 'ethnic cleansing' at the government.
Why China won't help the US on North Korea Many Asia watchers are dubious that China either can or will take decisive action to push North Korea away from nuclear threats. Here are five underlying reasons why:
Is Japan's Shinzo Abe finally acting on his true nationalist colors?Japan's prime minister appears to be stepping up his campaign to reinterpret Japan's wartime history, aggravating China and South Korea at a time when the region should be uniting to deal with North Korea.
US military chief in Beijing warns of North Korea 'miscalculation'US Joint Chiefs of Staff Dempsey is in China looking for help on North Korea. Though Beijing indicated it was 'working on' it, there are a number of reasons why China might be reluctant to push the North too hard.
China harasses family of Nobel Peace laureate Liu XiaoboChinese officials routinely pressure family members of political activists and government critics to get them to fall in line.
