All Asia Pacific
As Beijing’s power grows, can it shift meaning of ‘human rights’?Debates over whether to boycott Beijing’s 2022 Olympics highlight a deeper trend: China’s growing leverage in reshaping the human rights agenda.
First LookWith Hollywood dark, Chinese filmmakers get the spotlightUnlike many parts of the world, COVID-19 is more or less under control in China. And now Chinese box office sales are surpassing sales in the United States as theater audiences grow.
Why Japan still plugs into nuclearTen years after the Fukushima disaster, the country needs the energy source to bridge to a greener future.
Cover Story10 years after tsunami: A Japanese town rebuilds its homes and heartA Japanese fishing village, destroyed by a wall of water after an earthquake 10 years ago, is a study in resilience.
First LookElectoral reformers want Beijing 'patriots' to run Hong KongBeijing continues to tighten its control over Hong Kong as the Communist Party plans to overhaul the electoral system in the semi-autonomous territory. The electoral reforms, which are expected to pass in March, will further erode the pro-democracy movement.
Cover StoryVilified abroad, popular at home: China's Communist Party at 100As China’s Communist Party prepares for its 100th anniversary, it has shored up popular support at home. But challenges lie ahead.
First LookHashimoto Seiko heads Tokyo Olympics, heralding gender equalityHashimoto Seiko has been appointed president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee following Mori Yoshiro’s resignation over his sexist remarks. Ms. Hashimoto, a seven-time Olympian, says “it will be important for Tokyo 2020 to practice equality.”
First LookJapan rolls out vaccination drive. Too late for the Olympics?Japan has launched its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, months after the U.S. and other major economies started theirs. Widespread vaccination may be crucial to holding the 2021 Olympics in July, but low vaccine confidence among the Japanese might prove to be a hurdle.
First LookMyanmar coup: Suu Kyi faces new charge as crackdown intensifiesPolice in Myanmar filed a new charge against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, which accuses her of violating coronavirus restrictions and could hold her indefinitely without trial. The military has been ramping up pressure on protesters in the past week.
First LookTokyo Olympics chief resignation highlights Japan's gender gapMori Yoshiro has resigned as president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee following sexist comments that women “talk too much.” The incident has put a spotlight on gender inequality in Japan, and there is now pressure to fill his role with a woman.
Why China may not be cheering Myanmar’s military takeoverMyanmar’s coup has put a spotlight on its relationship with China. But the military taking back more power isn’t necessarily a plus for Beijing.
First LookEthnic minorities join growing protests against coup in MyanmarIn a striking show of unity, Burmese from all walks of life have joined a growing opposition to the military coup that has detained Aung San Suu Kyi. Ethnic minority groups have long resented military crackdowns against their struggles for autonomy.
First LookWHO team in Wuhan rules out COVID-19 lab leakA World Health Organization team says farmed wild animals remain a likely source of the novel coronavirus but the virus didn't necessarily originate in Wuhan, China. New theories are being explored, but it will take years to fully understand the origins of COVID-19.
First LookIn Myanmar capital and across country, coup protests growTens of thousands protested in Myanmar’s capital, demanding a roll back of last Monday’s military coup and demanding the release from detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, the ousted leader.
First LookOusted Myanmar leader Suu Kyi faces jail on walkie talkie chargeThe Myanmar military has charged ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi with the possession of illegally imported walkie talkies. She had already been under house arrest following a coup, but the charges will lend a legal veneer to her continued detention.
Tradition meets art in this Malaysian mask shopSiow Ho Phiew has been making lion-dance heads for decades in Malaysia, helping to keep the Chinese community’s tradition alive.
First LookGender equality in Cambodia takes a small step forwardIn Cambodia, a shift in attitude appears to be taking place as a national campaign tries to combat violence against women. But advocates for gender equality remain skeptical and want to see deeper commitment from the government.
First LookMiners rescued: Is China's mining industry becoming safer?Eleven workers trapped inside a Chinese gold mine were brought safely to the surface on Sunday. Despite the landmark achievement, questions linger about mine safety.
First LookTokyo Olympics 2021: Will they really happen?The Tokyo Olympics is slated to open in six months’ time, even as Tokyo and other parts of Japan are under an emergency order because of surging coronavirus cases. While 80% of Japanese want them canceled or postponed, officials say the show must go on.
Hong Kong mass arrests: A stark step in Beijing’s ‘drive for control’Hong Kong police arrested more than 50 politicians and activists Wednesday, in a sign of how drastically Beijing has curtailed political freedoms.
