ASEAN News

Japan’s Hadaka Matsuri, or Naked Festival, is a traditional event that dates back to over 1,200 years ago. It is held every year in February at the Konomiya Shrine in Inazawa, Aichi Prefecture.  The festival involves thousands of men wearing only loincloths and socks, who compete to touch a chosen man, or shin-otoko, who is believed to bring good luck …

South Korea is known for its innovative and diverse cuisine, but one of its latest creations has caught the attention of the world: pink rice. What is this colorful and curious dish and how is it made? Here is everything you need to know about South Korea’s trending pink rice and why it might be the future of food. What …

South Korea is facing a severe shortage of doctors, as thousands of trainee doctors have resigned en masse to protest the government’s plan to increase the number of medical students.  The mass resignations have caused disruptions and delays in the health care system, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The trainee doctors say they are overworked and underpaid, …

The Japan World Expo 2024, which was held in Osaka from May to November, was a grand and successful event that showcased the latest innovations and achievements of Japan and the world. The expo attracted more than 70 million visitors from 192 countries and regions, who enjoyed the various exhibits, pavilions, and attractions that reflected the theme of “Designing Future …

South Korea, the developed and democratic country in East Asia, has a serious problem with sex crimes and sexual violence. According to the Korean National Police Agency, the number of sex crime cases reported in 2023 was 32,762, an increase of 6.7% from 2022.  However, the conviction rate for sex crimes was only 43.9%, and the imprisonment rate was even …

Thousands of doctors in South Korea have been on strike since August 2023, protesting against the government’s plan to increase the number of medical students and establish public medical schools . The doctors argue that the plan would lower the quality of medical education and services, and worsen the working conditions and income of doctors . The government has defended …

Strict haircuts, such as buzz cuts and crewcuts, have been a common and traditional requirement for military personnel in many countries, including Japan. The reasons for imposing strict haircuts in the military are usually based on practical and symbolic considerations, such as: The Relaxation of Strict Haircuts in the Japanese Military The Japanese military, also known as the Self-Defense Forces …

Chun Ki-won, a South Korean pastor, was once hailed as a hero for his efforts in rescuing hundreds of North Koreans who fled the oppressive regime of Kim Jong-il.  Chun, who founded the Durihana Mission in 1995, organized and funded several operations to smuggle out North Korean defectors through China and other countries, and to provide them with shelter, education, …

In a surprising move, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced last month that he was abandoning the long-held goal of reconciliation and unification with South Korea, and instead declared the South as his country’s “permanent enemy”. Kim said that North Korea “did not want war, but we also have no intention of avoiding it”, and that his aim was …

Japan’s economy contracted by an annualized rate of 1.2% in the last three months of 2023, marking the second consecutive quarter of negative growth and pushing the country into a technical recession. The decline was mainly driven by a slump in consumer spending, which fell by 3.1% as households face higher taxes, rising inflation, and the impact of the Omicron …