This Week in Asia /

Lifestyle & Culture

Related Topics:
K-pop, Mandopop and other Asian pop
Asia travel
Fame and celebrity
A woman looks at her phone with Tokyo Tower in the background. Photo: AFP
Japan

‘Definitely an issue’: in Japan, 6 in 10 admit being addicted to their phones

A new survey reveals a surge in smartphone addiction in Japan post-pandemic, undermining well-being – especially among the young.

Malaysia

Malaysian woman rides into world record with her ‘crazy’ solo motorcycle quest

4
Japan

Japan’s knife ownership law comes into focus after UK bans ninja swords

Japan

Make ‘selfish’ Mount Fuji climbers pay for off-season rescue: Japanese officials

The call came after a Chinese student, who was rescued twice from Mount Fuji, said he went back the second time to try to retrieve his phone.

6
Officials in Japan want the government to approve rules requiring climbers to pay for off-season rescue. Photo: Shutterstock
Officials in Japan want the government to approve rules requiring climbers to pay for off-season rescue. Photo: Shutterstock
South Korea

How K-scandals are costing South Korea’s entertainment industry

Controversies involving stars like Kim Soo-hyun have caused delays and costly production changes across the industry.

Japan

‘I decided to kill anyone’: rising youth violence in Japan sparks alarms

More youths are feeling isolated in Japan, and some among them will not hesitate to carry out acts of extreme violence, analysts say.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Social media

Attack on South Korean live-streamer in France sparks outrage, police probe

Content creator Jinnytty was verbally abused while filming her walk around Toulouse, reigniting debate on anti-Asian racism and safety.

Yoo Yoon-jinn, a South Korean content creator, was attacked by a local man while live streaming in southern France. Photo: Instagram/@yyj0728
Yoo Yoon-jinn, a South Korean content creator, was attacked by a local man while live streaming in southern France. Photo: Instagram/@yyj0728
Malaysia

Malaysian witness’ kidnapping a wake-up call for authorities: women’s advocate

Pamela Ling’s abduction highlights safety failures in Malaysia, women’s rights group says, even as the search expands to Singapore.

Thailand

Lisa’s Thai fans lash out at rapper Azealia Banks after transphobic tirade

Banks’ offensive social media meltdown exploded into a racially-charged online battle with the K-pop star’s Thai supporters.

Nepal

‘Green menstruation’: Nepal’s activists tackle pad pollution for women’s health

A factory in Nepal is challenging traditional views on menstruation by educating the public about its biodegradable menstrual pads.

Anjana Kumal (left) and Maya Devi Sunar putting final touches on reusable cloth pad at the Miteri Jaibik Pad Udhyog factory in Chitwan. Photo: Bibek Bhandari
The Philippines

Tragedy on Philippine roads stirs grief, outrage – and calls for reform

From unlicensed drivers to substandard infrastructure, the deadly aftermath of recent crashes is forcing a reckoning on Philippine roads.

Workers tow a vehicle that crashed into the entrance of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Manila on May 4, killing two and injuring several others. Photo: Reuters
Workers tow a vehicle that crashed into the entrance of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Manila on May 4, killing two and injuring several others. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Could ‘flourishing’ Indonesians teach even happy Nordic dwellers a thing or two?

Harvard researchers claim first-ever study measures factors that go beyond wealth, and is more encompassing than usual world happiness surveys.

videocam
4
Singapore

Singapore actress accused of calling Chinese nationals ‘idiots’ in voice clip

Eleanor Lee is facing backlash after users on RedNote alleged she was the speaker in the leaked audio clip.

7
India

Indian woman’s ‘extremely creepy’ online job hunt sparks cyber abuse concerns

Women say they are subjected to inappropriate behaviour during online work interviews, with one even getting molested.

A 2023 survey by LocalCircles revealed that eight in 10 urban Indian women using the internet for a range of activities struggled with online harassment, abuse and trolling. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Indonesian spirits soar in the Netherlands as Europe’s first Balinese temple opens

Constructed using materials brought directly from the Indonesian island, the temple was fully funded by the local Balinese community.

Guests attend the inauguration ceremony of the Santa Citta Bhuwana Temple in Kallenkote, Netherlands. Photo: Instagram/@tamanindonesia
Guests attend the inauguration ceremony of the Santa Citta Bhuwana Temple in Kallenkote, Netherlands. Photo: Instagram/@tamanindonesia
Japan

Manga icons like Sailor Moon teach Japanese train etiquette to foreign tourists

The campaign follows a survey indicating that over 60 per cent of Japanese train users have been ‘annoyed’ by the behaviour of foreign tourists.

videocam
Japan

Brazilian F1 fan’s death in Japan stirs nationalistic debate on foreign crime

Influencer Amanda Borges da Silva had posted about how much she loved Japan and told her mother that she felt safe in the country.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Japan

Red light to yellow alley? Street colour change in Japan reduces prostitution

Police believe the striking colour makes the streetwalkers and their potential clients feel uncomfortably conspicuous.

The yellow alley is about 10 minutes from a metro station. Photo: X/@rojiura_sanpo
The yellow alley is about 10 minutes from a metro station. Photo: X/@rojiura_sanpo
South Korea

Dolls’ ‘over-sexualised’ image sparks complaints in South Korean city

The ‘Dongtan Missy’ doll and similar ones are clad in provocative dresses with plunging cleavages, triggering calls to stop the sale of such figures.

Japan

Survey finds 45% of Japan’s workers are ‘quiet quitting’, defying grind culture

The poll found most who identified as quiet quitters were satisfied with doing just enough at work – and intend to continue.

Japan

Japan’s low press freedom ranking signals self-censorship remains rife: analysts

Political pressure affects media coverage in Japan as journalists fear angering the government over their reporting, analysts say.

videocam
Japan ranked 66th out of 180 countries and regions for press freedom in the annual Reporters Without Borders survey. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Kidnap of Malaysian witness by ‘police officers’ sparks public safety fears

Pamela Ling’s abduction while on her way to testify is the latest in a series of vanishings involving businesspeople and activists.

Pamela Ling was abducted on April 9. Photo: Handout
Pamela Ling was abducted on April 9. Photo: Handout
South Korea

‘Detrimental to K-pop’? How NewJeans saga upends South Korea’s music industry

Amid industry concern about similar moves by other artists, the group’s dispute may also prompt a review of the K-pop system, analysts say.

videocam
Japan

Baker tops list of dream jobs for Japanese 6-year-olds but YouTuber rising fast

Survey shows girls still drawn to sweets and stardom, while boys look to badges, baseball and, increasingly, content creation.

videocam
Malaysia

Beauty and beast: is Malaysia’s booming beauty industry a front for drug gangs?

A beauty influencer has been arrested in Malaysia after police uncovered a kilo of methamphetamine and links to a major drug syndicate.

Malaysian police say drug syndicates are using beauty influencers to launder money for them. Photo: Shutterstock
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW