Category: East Asia,

An imprecise term I’m using to refer to the region composed of China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Nepel, Tibet, and perhaps Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia – depending on the context

Why didn’t Japan’s First Lady speak to Trump?

On By peanutgallerynhIn East Asia,Leave a comment

Japan woke up on Friday morning to intense scrutiny of its First Lady’s proficiency in English.

Why didn’t Japan’s First Lady speak to Trump? – BBC News

I’ve seen all sorts of snarky articles suggesting that Akie Abe chose to pretend that she couldn’t speak English to avoid Trump. Does that really seen plausible to so many people that an otherwise polished and professional woman would play bitchy little games like she was a member of the Trump family?

…Or is it more reasonable to surmise that she had little to say to Trump and so he arrogantly assumed that she couldn’t speak English?

Seriously?

Japan’s First Lady Akie Abe Mysteriously Couldn’t Speak English When She Met Donald Trump at G-20

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,, East Asia,Leave a comment

The internet is praising her pettiness.

Japan’s First Lady Akie Abe Mysteriously Couldn’t Speak English When She Met Donald Trump at G-20

Or Cheeto in Chief assumed she couldn’t speak English and then never gave her the chance to prove otherwise. Which does seem, you know, equally plausible and explination.

Historic abdication law overshadowed by female succession debate in Japan 

On By peanutgallerynhIn East Asia,Leave a comment

The conversation around Emperor Akihitos’ decision to step down has more recently been dominated by the debate on the role women play in the world’s oldest hereditary monarchy.

…Imperial law decrees that sitting emperors cannot resign from their posts, but the one-off bill permits the 83-year-old to pass the Chrysanthemum Throne to Crown Prince Naruhito, the eldest of his three children.

…Added to the abdication bill is a resolution that potentially questions whether women who marry outside the family have to rescind their royal rights.

…In addition to Princess Mako, there are six other unmarried princesses who could lose their imperial status if they marry commoners, raising the possibility that the royal family will soon not have enough members to carry out its public duties.

Conservatives maintain a change of this ilk could lead to the advent of female succession, unthinkable to some of Japan’s traditionalists.

Historic abdication law overshadowed by female succession debate in Japan – CNN.com

hmmm

Chinese firm promises Trump approved green cards on behalf of Kushner company: report | TheHill

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,, East Asia,, Money, Class, and Poverty,Leave a comment

A Chinese immigration firm is reportedly touting its work with the real estate company owned by the family of President Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner to reassure clients that their U.S. visas will be approved.

…In Qiaowai’s case, it has boasted about its political connections and promised clients that Trump would make sure their visas get approved, according to the Times, which viewed text messages and emails the firm sent to clients.

…Kushner Companies’ representatives in China have touted the firm’s ties to Trump, and Jared Kushner’s sister Nicole Meyer came under fire earlier this month for allegedly using her brother’s role in the Trump administration to attract investors.

Chinese firm promises Trump approved green cards on behalf of Kushner company: report | TheHill

hmmmm

China Uighurs: Xinjiang ban on long beards and veils

On By peanutgallerynhIn East Asia,Leave a comment

Beijing says the measures, which also ban refusing to watch state TV, will combat Islamist extremism.

…But rights groups say the unrest is more a reaction to repressive policies, and argue that the new measures may end up pushing some Uighurs into extremism.

…Reuters news agency reports that the new laws also ban:

  • Not allowing children to attend government schools
  • Not abiding by family planning policies
  • Deliberately damaging legal documents
  • Marrying using only religious procedures

China Uighurs: Xinjiang ban on long beards and veils – BBC News

hmmmm

John Oliver’s interview with the Dalai Lama is an unexpected delight 

On By peanutgallerynhIn East Asia,, Media and Culture,, Religion,Leave a comment

The Dalai Lama wants the Last Week Tonight host to be his demon best friend forever.

Source: John Oliver’s interview with the Dalai Lama is an unexpected delight – Vox

 

How can you not just love both of these men?

(Sorry, China. You’ll never captivate American hearts and minds or be seen as honorable truth-tellers the way either of these guys do. It’s not you… It’s us. Apart from our own politics we just do love ourselves some authentic stuff.)

Chinese officials warned US bomber during ‘routine’ East China Sea flyover 

On By peanutgallerynhIn East Asia,, Military,, Pacific Basin,Leave a comment

Chinese officials warned a US military aircraft flying near South Korea Sunday, telling its pilots that they were illegally operating in Chinese airspace and ordering the American plane to leave, a US defense official told CNN.

Chinese officials warned US bomber during ‘routine’ East China Sea flyover – CNNPolitics.com

hmmm

Donald Trump will take unspecified ‘new approach’ to North Korea, 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,, East Asia,Leave a comment

The escalating threat from North Korea’s nuclear programme shows a clear need for a “new approach”, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Thursday, although he did not say what the Trump administration planned. 

Donald Trump will take unspecified ‘new approach’ to North Korea, Tillerson says on Asia trip | The Independent

Oy…