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Asia Life
Sports, culture and the arts are a passion for billions in the Asia-Pacific, and offer unique insights into what makes countries here tick. From the latest cricket match to prize-winning novels and the latest art exhibitions, The Diplomat's bloggers cover it all, giving you a fresh perspective on the region.
RIKEN Center: Japanese Scientist Falsified Data in Stem Cell Breakthrough
By J.T. Quigley
Discrepancies abound as Haruko Obokata found guilty of scientific misconduct.
ICJ Orders an End to Whaling in Southern Ocean
By Luke Hunt
Japan promises to comply with a ruling that found its annual whale hunt to be illegal.
‘World’s Largest Aquarium’ Just One Superlative at China’s Hengqin Ocean Kingdom
By J.T. Quigley
The sprawling aquatic theme park now boasts five Guinness World Records.
Shopping Sprees, ‘Gold Rush’ Ahead of First Japanese Sales Tax Hike in 17 Years
By J.T. Quigley
Electronics and gold were popular purchases ahead of the increase in consumption tax.
China Education Reforms to Emulate Advanced Placement System
By Tyler Sheldon
Gaokao reforms aim to diversify university admissions by testing college-level material at key high schools.
Gay Activist Sues the Chinese Government for Defamation
By J.T. Quigley
Xiang Xiaohan filed suit after the Hunan government refused to register his LGBT organization.
Colbert Under Fire for Anti-Asian Joke
By Zachary Keck
Using the hashtag #CancelColbert, social media users are calling for The Colbert Report to be cancelled.
That Viral ‘Kim Jong-Un Haircut’ Story Is Another Hoax
By J.T. Quigley
North Korean men are not being required to copy the Great Leader’s hairstyle.
Qatar World Cup in Jeopardy As Scandals Continue to Surface
By Samuel Chi
Reports of rampant corruption, vote buying and human rights abuses could force a relocation.
Shigeru Ban, Japan’s Socially Conscious ‘Paper Architect,’ Wins 2014 Pritzker Prize
By J.T. Quigley
Ban, whose signature medium is cardboard, has constructed temporary disaster shelters around the globe.
Working to Death in China
By Charmika Monet
A look at the nation with the highest instance of death from overwork in the world.
Russell Crowe’s Noah Blocked by Indonesian Censorship Board
By J.T. Quigley
Hollywood’s biblical blockbuster allegedly contradicts the Koran.