This Week in Asia /

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Fame and celebrity
Deepak Kumar is seen in a video of the incident. Photo: Handout
India

Lamborghini crash in India reignites debate over privilege and impunity

The car’s driver was released on a bail of US$300 after critically injuring two construction workers, sparking accusations of unequal justice.

Japan

Close encounters: inside Japan’s growing fascination with UFOs

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South Korea

In South Korea, crushing academic pressures start in kindergarten

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Japan

Walk this way: Tokyo’s Ginza to get New York-like ‘High Line’ makeover

To promote a walkable city, Tokyo is converting a clogged motorway into a green pedestrian space, inspired by New York’s High Line.

People enjoying the pedestrian-friendly space during Ginza Sky Walk 2024. Photo: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
People enjoying the pedestrian-friendly space during Ginza Sky Walk 2024. Photo: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
South Korea

Jeju unsettled by rise in crime as Chinese tourists return in droves

Official data shows Chinese visitors accounted for 66 per cent of foreign crimes between 2019 and 2023 67 per cent in 2023 alone.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s ‘lonely’ wives seek divorce from phone-addicted elderly husbands

Social media addiction was a key complaint raised by women during marriage counselling sessions, according to a Selangor-based counsellor.

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SCMP Highlights

ByteDance founder denies Singapore citizenship, Hong Kong cinemas: 7 highlights

From ByteDance founder’s citizenship status to Hong Kong cinemas closing, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Zhang Yiming, founder of ByteDance. Photo: Chinatopix Via AP
Zhang Yiming, founder of ByteDance. Photo: Chinatopix Via AP
The Philippines

US horror writer mistaken for Duterte’s lawyer: ‘not how I wanted to get famous’

Diehard supporters of the Philippine ex-president flooded Nicholas Kaufmann’s Facebook page, demanding he bring their hero home.

Thailand

Thais outraged by expensive furniture for now-collapsed Bangkok tower

Corruption watchdog page reveals list of items including sofas costing nearly US$5,000 and 28 rosewood armchairs for State Audit Office building.

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South Korea

South Korea’s ‘Kim Soo-hyun’ petition urges tougher statutory rape law

Kim Soo-hyun, the star of Queen of Tears, is accused of dating the late actress Kim Sae-ron from when she was 15 years old.

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South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has been accused of dating the late actress Kim Sae-ron from when she was 15 years old. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Japan bento chain’s ‘no rice’ April Fool’s joke goes down the wrong way

The joke is ‘not funny’ and in bad taste, given how rice shortages are a big concern in Japan, its unhappy critics say.

A Japanese takeaway rice bowl chain has upset people with its April Fool’s joke saying it was not serving rice any more. Photo: Getty Images
A Japanese takeaway rice bowl chain has upset people with its April Fool’s joke saying it was not serving rice any more. Photo: Getty Images
Japan

‘Malicious’ Japan TV clip claiming Chinese eat crows ruffles feathers in China

A freelance producer had manipulated the clip for maximum entertainment value, network claimed.

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South Korea

Did ‘clickbait journalism’ contribute to South Korean politician’s death?

Chang Je-won was found dead in his office on Monday. Hours before, footage said to support sexual assault allegations against him was aired.

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South Korea

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun files lawsuit against Kim Sae-ron’s family

Actor’s team seeks damages against the late actress’ family, an unidentified person claiming to be her aunt and operators of YouTube channel Garo Sero.

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South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun during a press conference in Seoul on Monday. Kim has denied dating late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Japan ‘becoming very angry’ with misbehaving social media influencers

Ice Poseidon and Johnny Somali are among the foreign streamers who have been arrested for trespassing and making a nuisance of themselves.

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Johnny Somali was arrested in late August after allegedly breaking into a construction site in Osaka. Photo: X/@g_menguts_ch
Johnny Somali was arrested in late August after allegedly breaking into a construction site in Osaka. Photo: X/@g_menguts_ch
Pacific nations

‘Glassman’ jailed: PNG hopes ruling can curb tribal sorcery violence

After a horrific machete killing, a landmark ruling in Papua New Guinea aims to curb deadly sorcery accusations driven by jealousy and greed.

Singapore

‘It’s easy’: as Singaporeans rediscover China, young travellers lead the way

Fuelled by visa-free entry and social media buzz, tech-savvy Gen Z travellers are discovering a modern China that shatters old stereotypes.

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SCMP Highlights

Chiang Kai-shek’s great grandson, Coldplay ticketing mess: 7 highlights

From a cross-straits move to Coldplay’s ticketing mess, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Andrew Chiang You-ching, the great-grandson of Taiwan’s former leader Chiang Kai-shek, announced on social media that he is moving to Hangzhou to build a career and promote cross-strait ties. Photo: Douyin/Andrew Chiang
Andrew Chiang You-ching, the great-grandson of Taiwan’s former leader Chiang Kai-shek, announced on social media that he is moving to Hangzhou to build a career and promote cross-strait ties. Photo: Douyin/Andrew Chiang
Malaysia

Alamak! 12 words in Malaysia, Singapore enter Oxford dictionary

Food names form the bulk of additions, but other notables include the Malay expression ‘alamak’ and a colloquial meaning for the word ‘terror’.

Australia

Australia to warn young travellers about methanol poisoning after Laos deaths

Foreign ministry warns travellers to ‘be suspicious of unusually cheap drinks’ following the death of two 19-year-olds.

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Japan

Japanese Alps see record rescue numbers amid rising tourist risk

Experts blame hikers and skiers overestimating their abilities and underestimating harsh terrain and weather.

Japan’s Kobushi mountain region straddling part of Tokyo, and Saitama, Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures. The Nagano mountains saw record number of rescues in 2024. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

Japan’s Kyoto approves higher lodging tax from March 2026 to curb overtourism

The city plans to use the additional revenue from the tax in areas such as improving infrastructure and repairing cultural sites.

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A crowd of tourists walk on a street near the Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto. Photo: Reuters
A crowd of tourists walk on a street near the Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Brewing justice: Philippines cafe offers healing and hope after Duterte’s ICC arrest

The coffee shop, dedicated to victims of the former president’s drug war, described his arrest as ‘the first step’ towards justice.

The Philippines

Piracy threat prompts dark sail for cruise ship in Philippine waters

For passengers aboard the Queen Anne, their cruise holiday took a dramatic turn as they approached the Philippines.

Indonesia

Bali to crack down on ‘naughty’ foreigners with new rules and tourism levy

The new guidelines for foreign tourists were issued to curb their misbehaviour.

Foreign tourists relax on Kuta Beach on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali in November 2023. Photo: AFP
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