There was this idiot in my class back then who was well-built, wealthy, generous, but utterly ignorant. He was frequently verbally and physically abusive, and highly untrustworthy too, telling the most clumsy of lies. He was also paranoid, and would see everyone as his enemy. At first, people still hung out with him, but gradually they started giving him the cold shoulder. Only the freeloaders would still go back to him because he was rich. But as soon as they got his money, they would criticise him behind his back. In rage, he would often cry out, "Why do I have no friends?" more ›

The heat is on. And it was all too predictable. We saw them doing it to the Philippines a while ago. Now they're wielding the economic stick against Japan too. China hopes to hit Japan where it hurts the most by getting travel agents to collectively stop sending tourists there. This may cause Chinese visitor numbers to Japan fall by as much as 20 percent, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. more ›

A Japanese academic published a treaty saying the Diaoyu Islands belonged to the Chinese in ancient times, and everyone in China applauds. But the fact that this book could be published in Japan is the very reason why Japan is strong today. In China, if anyone says that the Islands were once part of the Ryukyu Kingdom (Editor's note: A tiny kingdom that existed 1429-1879 later annexed by Japan), he is at once labelled a traitor by the masses. This is why China remains weak, and why it has lost the Diaoyu Islands. A people without freedom and tolerance cannot possibly be strong. For if a nation can't even protect private property, how can it hope to protect national soil? more ›

Kyodo News breaks the news on what's believed to be the first instances of physical harm inflicted on Japanese expats in China since the territorial dispute broke out: more ›

What a weekend we have ahead of us! Single party for the lonely hearts, Latin American (re) opening parties, rookie comedy, star comedy, and plenty of opportunities to dance the night away with hip hop, house electro, live bands... Think that's all meh? Celebrate the Mexican Independence Day in one of the many Mexican bars and restaurants that host festivities! And if that's still not enough, head over to our calendar for more. more ›

China's status as a sporting superpower was achieved on the back of punishing state-led training in schools, but a softer approach has enabled today's students to seek a life beyond the gym. [AFP] more ›

As reported earlier this week, Chinese consuls from the San Francisco office recently made the startling ill-judged decision to try and strong-arm a small Oregon town into forcing a local businessman to remove a pro-Tibet mural. Here, Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio slams the consuls on the floor of the House of Representatives for not only interfering in the domestic affairs of another country but also for being generally ignorant about the law of the country they work in. more ›

If you were appointed the Japanese ambassador to China, whose primary duties include getting attacked by Chinese nationalists and being chastised by your own government for making relevant observations, what would you do? Just two days after being given the post, Shinichi Nishimiya has collapsed and been hospitalised in what we'd like to believe is the world's most brilliant ploy to get out of work, and not yet the inevitable heart attack which comes packaged with the job. more ›