Region
East Asia
Ping Pong Diplomacy: Made in Japan
By John Darwin Van Fleet
Remembering the Chinese, Japanese, and American table tennis players who paved the way for a historic diplomatic opening.
Iran Frees South Korean Ship Held Amid Dispute Over Funds
By Isabel Debre and Jon Gambrel
South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Iran released the tanker and its captain after seizing the vessel in January.
Taiwan Picks Up the Pieces in Aftermath of Deadly Train Crash
By Nick Aspinwall
Authorities are investigating after a crane truck slid and fell in front of a passenger train, leading to a crash that killed 50 people.
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Conducts ‘Routine’ Drills Near Taiwan
By Steven Stashwick
Six warships pass through the Ryukyus to exercise east of Taiwan.
Twitter Unveils Bespoke Emoji Supporting Asia’s ‘Milk Tea Alliance’
By Sebastian Strangio
According to the social media giant, the past year has seen more than 11 million Tweets featuring the #MilkTeaAlliance hashtag.
Why Did Young South Koreans Ditch the Democratic Party and President Moon?
By Seoho Lee
In the crucial by-elections, young voters turned away from the ruling party they once supported. What happened?
The Hidden Motive of China’s Zero Emissions Pledge: Energy Security
By Chan Kung and He Jun
China’s embrace of electric vehicles and the hydrogen economy is also about reducing its reliance on foreign energy sources.
Japan’s Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Operators Penalized for Sloppy Safeguards at Niigata
By Thisanka Siripala
A series of safety breaches compounds fears that TEPCO has failed to learn from the Fukushima nuclear disaster in its bid to restart a Niigata nuclear power plant.
China’s Hard and Soft Lines on Xinjiang
By Eleanor Albert
Beijing's softer messaging efforts on Xinjiang collide with its harsher tactics at home and abroad.
Seoul and Busan Mayor By-Elections Spell Trouble for President Moon
By Mitch Shin
The ruling Democratic Party failed to keep the mayor positions in the country’s two biggest cities in by-elections on Wednesday.
How Japanese Women Saved Shinto
By Cristian Martini Grimaldi
A Shinto priest explains the ancient Japanese religion – and the crucial, often forgotten role women played in keeping it alive after World War II.
Japan Regulator Bans Nuke Plant Restart Over Lax Safeguards
By Mari Yamaguchi
Of the 54 nuclear reactors Japan used to have, nine have been restarted under tougher post-Fukushima safety standards and four are currently operating.