This Week in Asia /
Lifestyle & Culture
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K-pop, Mandopop and other Asian pop
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Fame and celebrity
Malaysia
Bleached and broken: how mass tourism is killing Malaysia’s coral paradise
Beneath Redang’s turquoise waters lies a growing crisis of coral bleaching, trash and human negligence.
1 hour ago
Japan
Japan’s 2035 tipping point looms as cities set to shrink amid population ageing
16 Feb 2025 - 8:00AM
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Singapore
‘Boy sober’ and loving it: why Asia’s young women are swiping left on romance
15 Feb 2025 - 5:00PM
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Japan
Why Japan is the No 1 travel destination for Chinese tourists
The weak yen has spurred many Chinese nationals to visit Japan, while food is the biggest motivator for them to travel to the region.
12 Feb 2025 - 8:25PM
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People visit Sensoji Temple, a popular tourist location in Tokyo. Photo: AFP
Malaysia
Is Malaysia’s cancel culture killing its showbiz scene?
International acts must comply with strict regulations, as authorities threaten to ‘hit the kill switch’ on concerts violating the rules.
11 Feb 2025 - 1:33PM
Malaysia
Malaysia scraps guidelines for Muslims at events of other faiths after backlash
Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and non-Muslim religious groups have criticised the ‘unnecessary’ rules.
10 Feb 2025 - 4:00PM
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Singapore
Singapore’s pandan cake showdown: tradition vs modernity
Two bakeries, one iconic dessert. As a sprightly challenger reinvents the pandan cake, can it topple the years-long reign of Bengawan Solo?
9 Feb 2025 - 4:00PM
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Pandan chiffon cake – a soft, fragrant masterpiece in a striking shade of green. Photo: Instagram
Malaysia
Malaysia’s careful comedians lament narrowing space for laughter
Malaysian stand-up comedy is being muzzled by an increasingly censorious social media amid heightened sensitivities over race and religion.
8 Feb 2025 - 4:00PM
Malaysia
Paranormal event or hoax? ‘Missing’ Malaysian influencer rescued from jungle
Bandung police say the TikTok influencer, and a fellow Malaysian YouTuber, may have breached Indonesia’s fake news laws.
7 Feb 2025 - 2:35PM
Malaysia
Parents urged to act on vapes as Malaysian government holds back on ban
Minister says it is up to families to keep their children away from vapes, amid a rise in the number of students caught vaping.
4 Feb 2025 - 6:55PM
Japan
‘Like a mobile capsule hotel’: Japan to unveil first-ever sleeper bus
A Japanese bus company’s first bunk-bed bus aims to remove accommodation costs for young concert travellers.
4 Feb 2025 - 4:33PM
Two women try out the Sommeil Profond, an overnight bus service between Tokyo and Kochi which will begin operations in March. Photo: Handout
Malaysia
What’s the kebaya? Unesco’s recognition of blouse reflects Asean’s rich culture
As the kebaya gets Unesco’s recognition, what does its global cultural status mean for the future of the garment?
7 Feb 2025 - 9:45PM
Japan
In Japan, a Muslim community’s wish to bury its dead stirs wave of hostility
Misleading reports and social media attacks have sought to block plans for a Muslim cemetery in the town of Hiji in southern Japan.
2 Feb 2025 - 5:00PM
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Japan
Japanese cave diver seeks to recover remains from 1942 Chosei mine disaster
A civic group is leading the effort, seeking to honour the victims and provide closure for their families.
1 Feb 2025 - 11:00AM
Japan
Never mind the yakuza, in Japan ‘quick money’ gangs are now on the rise
Japan has seen a surge in desperate young people committing ‘yami baito’ – small-time crimes as part-time jobs.
28 Jan 2025 - 12:45PM
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Japanese police on patrol in Tokyo last year. Photo: AFP
Singapore
‘Singaporeans don’t want this job’: city state’s hawker culture faces revolution
Singapore’s hawker culture is facing a manpower crisis, with many locals unwilling to work long hours for low pay. To address this, some hawkers are turning to robots.
25 Jan 2025 - 3:06PM
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Japan
Outrage in Japan over man suspected of killing 77 rabbits on famed tourist island
The man, charged with kicking a rabbit to death on Okunoshima, reportedly said he was curious how they would react to ‘bullying’.
24 Jan 2025 - 3:39PM
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Thailand
‘I do’ … at last: LGBTQ couples in Thailand marry as same-sex unions legalised
The new law allows couples aged 18 or above to marry regardless of their gender, and access to medical, inheritance and property rights.
23 Jan 2025 - 6:00PM
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LGBTQ+ couple Chatchai Aunthaya, 40, and Nitinai Buathong, 32, pose for photos after they receive official marriage certificates in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia
Last laugh? Muslim comedian faces backlash over ham joke in Malaysia
Harith Iskander’s joke about ham sap kopi – a coffee drink – offended some Muslims, leading to police reports and calls for his social media suspension.
23 Jan 2025 - 8:56PM
Japan
Teenage girls groped by Japan’s ‘chikan’ train perverts offered exam resits
It follows widespread reports of train gropers targeting students who were heading to university entrance exams over the weekend.
23 Jan 2025 - 8:00AM
India
Indian hotel chain’s married couples-only room policy sparks freedom debate
The OYO Hotels chain says the policy will only apply in the city of Meerut but might be extended to more locations depending on the response.
22 Jan 2025 - 7:57PM
Thailand
Naomi Campbell to mentor Thais to be next top models, ex-PM Thaksin says
Supermodel expected to visit Thailand next month to advise Thaksin on how Thais can follow in her footsteps and compete with on the world stage.
21 Jan 2025 - 8:19PM
Naomi Campbell poses with the medal of “Chevalier de l’Ordres des Arts et des Lettres” at the culture ministry in Paris in September 2024. Photo: AP
Japan
‘Life is getting harder’: more Japanese middle-aged men lose their cool
In the past week alone, three men were arrested after allegedly being involved in separate incidents of slapping and using an ice pick.
20 Jan 2025 - 7:03PM
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Malaysia
Malaysia gripped by Sports Toto lottery fever, even 2 ‘lucky’ snakes show up
From office workers and senior citizens, Malaysians flocked to Sports Toto outlets to have a shot at winning a US$27.7 million jackpot.
20 Jan 2025 - 2:12PM
Malaysia
‘Shameful’: outrage in Malaysia as disabled man assaulted in video as people watch
The video shows men attacking the victim, kicking him in the face, prompting a debate on the treatment of vulnerable people in Malaysia.
20 Jan 2025 - 11:29AM
OPINION
Liew Kai Khiun
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Atchareeya Saisin
Opinion
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Blackpink concert tour puts Asia back on post-Covid globalisation track
13 Jan 2023 - 3:55PM
Reena Devi
Opinion
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Has Singapore’s cultural tourism focus got the balance right?
26 Oct 2022 - 3:22PM
Tobias Zuser
Opinion
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Soh Chin Ann is the world’s most-capped footballer. Here’s what it means to Malaysia
16 Aug 2021 - 7:52AM
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Alan Robles
Opinion
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Filipinos love their adobo – just don’t tell them how to cook it
14 Jul 2021 - 4:50PM
Raquel Carvalho
As I see it
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When are Asia’s governments going to step up for women’s rights?
12 Mar 2021 - 10:05AM
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Montira Unakul
Opinion
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Laos‘ Plain of Jars has lessons for disaster risk management during Covid-19
21 Nov 2020 - 11:00AM
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