The Kiwi lawyer leading the way in Japan's legal profession

When Catherine O’Connell started setting up her own law firm in Tokyo, she didn’t realise she would become a pioneer in more ways than one. The Christchurch lawyer is not only the first from New Zealand to set up a law firm in Japan, but also the first non-Japanese female lawyer to do so.

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Drink driving and smog put a damper on Thailand's Songkran festival

Thailand is famous around the world for its Songkran festival, held annually to celebrate the new year. But this year, some of the country's most critical challenges will be on show.

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Asia in the news: Brunei brings in 'barbaric' anti-gay stoning laws

Brunei has sparked international criticism for implementing harsh new laws which make anal sex, adultery and abortion, among other acts, punishable by stoning to death. Here's how New Zealand media covered the issue.

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Got a story idea you want to cover in Asia? We're on the lookout for compelling proposals for stories that can help further New Zealanders' knowledge and understanding of Asia.

The Asia Media Centre is now welcoming applications for the Asia New Zealand Foundation's media travel grants programme. The deadline for the first of three funding rounds in 2019 is Monday 6 May at 5.30pm.

The travel grants offer New Zealand journalists the opportunity to travel independently to Asia to research and prepare stories. The grants cover most work-related costs, including return economy fares, insurance, daily allowances and visa and airport taxes.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

What has media in New Zealand been reporting about Asia? Here's a roundup of stories from the past week. 

• Long read: The boy who took on Beijing
  NEWSROOM
    
• Japan not just about business 
  OTAGO DAILY TIMES
   
• Beijing's growing 'Flatwhite' coffee empire has seeds in NZ
  NZ HERALD
   
• Alone in a new land: How much difference a friendship makes
  STUFF
   
• The Filipino food entrepreneurs bringing new flavours to Nelson
  THE NELSON MAIL 

• Inside the decision to scrap controversial Confucius doco
  NEWSROOM 

• Sir Richard Taylor's Weta designed new Chinese medicine museum 
  NZ HERALD 

What has media in Asia been reporting about New Zealand? Here's a roundup of stories from the past week.

• Jacinda Ardern makes progress in China, but does Huawei have cause for optimism?
  SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST | HONG KONG
   
• Exclusive: New Zealand 'Does Not Pick Sides,' Leader Says, Signaling Belt and Road Support 
  CAIXIN | CHINA
   
• New Zealand is one of the most diverse countries on Earth, but is it quietly closing its doors to further immigration? 
  SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST | HONG KONG
   
• China, New Zealand must handle special relationship with care 
  SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST | HONG KONG
   
• Dalai Lama lauds Jacinda for compassion 
  TELEGRAPH INDIA | INDIA

• New Zealand's Top China Priorities For 2019
  CAIXIN | CHINA

South Korea: BLACKPINK smashes YouTube record

K-pop girl group BLACKPINK - which boasts two members with New Zealand connections - released the music video for their latest single last week. It set a new YouTube record by hitting 100 million views in just 2 days and 14 hours.

New Zealand: Burger King slammed for 'ignorant' ad

Burger King in New Zealand has been criticised for an ad which shows customers attempting to eat a burger using chopsticks. Social media users said the ad was 'blatantly ignorant' and racist against the Asian community.

Indonesia: Tourists to be barred from Komodo Island 

Indonesia's Komodo Island, home to the rare Komodo dragon, will be closed to visitors from January 2020. According to Tempo newspaper, authorities made the decision in response to an attempt to smuggle 41 animals from the island.