Showing 1 - 10 of 26
Getting soft power wrong again
Editorial, Published on 11/08/2024
» As the government intensifies its efforts to promote the country's "soft power", the news that US tech giant Apple Inc had to pull a short film advertisement due to a local backlash and calls for a boycott is concerning.
In defence of Tokyo 2020, the loneliest Olympics
News, Published on 24/07/2024
» The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were a "suicide mission", warned one of Japan's richest men. "Cursed", said a former prime minister. Even contemplating hosting them in the midst of Covid would be "simply beyond reason", said one sponsor.
Save the Olympics for the locals
News, Adam Minter, Published on 08/07/2024
» The presence of the 2 million or so fans who will travel from abroad to attend the Paris 2024 Olympic games will be felt in the city's stadiums. Unfortunately, it will also be felt by the climate.
Paris Olympics countdown raises concerns
Oped, Published on 04/08/2023
» The one-year countdown for the opening of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics has begun. The return of the Olympics to France has largely been met with eager anticipation for this international sporting extravaganza, but is equally tempered by the usual security concerns, political controversies, and yes, the legendary Parisian traffic.
A last look back at Asia this year
Oped, Published on 31/12/2021
» 2022 could not have come fast enough. For many in Thailand and no doubt the rest of the world, new hope based on increased vaccination rates against Covid-19 was overwhelmed by the spread of the Omicron variant at year-end. Thailand's travel and tourism sector continues to be particularly hard hit as entry and quarantine rules continue to change.
Popcat fever
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 20/08/2021
» How many pops have you made? Popcat website/game took Thai internet by storm over the weekend. And the furry frenzy was still going strong at the time of going to press. ICYMT, here's a summary of the online feline phenomenon so far. Yes, cat pun very intended.
Some Olympic nationalism is good
Oped, Published on 03/08/2021
» In addition to being postponed by a year, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games have been steeped in controversy. According to one recent survey, 78% of Japanese citizens thought the Games should be cancelled, owing to concerns about the pandemic. Since then, Japanese media have been shining a spotlight on the fact that not all visiting athletes (including 100 from the United States) are vaccinated against Covid-19.
Lessons from history
Oped, Postbag, Published on 16/06/2021
» Re: "Govt jab management fails to hit home," (Opinion, June 14).
Xinjiang genocide allegations are unjustified
Asia focus, Published on 10/05/2021
» The US government has needlessly escalated its rhetoric against China by claiming that a genocide is being mounted against the Uighur people in the Xinjiang region.
Sport and sexism in Japan
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 22/02/2021
» Congratulations to Seiko Hashimoto, Japan's former Olympics minister, who has taken the helm of the troubled Tokyo Games, after her predecessor quit amid an uproar over his sexist remarks.