In The News

Why the United States is Reacting Quietly to N. Korea’s Provocations

Howard LaFranchi March 5, 2003
The United States does not want to negotiate directly with North Korea; it has stated again and again that its partners in the region – particularly Japan, South Korea, and China – should be involved in any talks. Even in the face of military provocations such as last weekend's tailing of a US surveillance plane by North Korean fighter jets, says Howard LaFranchi. "By appearing to...

Ultraman Copyright: Big Plans after Japan Court Win

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn March 5, 2003
After a seven-year Tokyo court battle, Sompote Saengduenchai, a Thai businessman, won rights to Ultraman in all international markets except Japan. Ultraman has long been considered one of Japan's quintessential superheroes, like America's Superman, but Sompote was involved in designing the character while a student in Japan in the early 1960s. Sompote is now planning Ultraman films,...

Offence to Lodge Patent Outside Singapore First

Angela Tan March 4, 2003
As traditional trade barriers continue to disintegrate, innovators around the world are searching for the next billion-dollar invention that will transform global society. But while some inventors want to patent their products overseas, few realize that they might be committing a crime in the process. The lack of “world patents” means that any invention can be subject to the patent laws of the...

US Prepares Blueprint for Businesses to Export to Asia

March 4, 2003
Only one percent of small and medium businesses in America export abroad, and most of those export to Mexico and Canada. The US Commercial Service in cooperation with 14 countries in the Asia-Pacific is working on a plan to help such businesses get access to Asian markets. – YaleGlobal

Excluding Taiwan from the World’s View

Daniel Lynch March 3, 2003
Taiwan, though still unrecognized as a state internationally, has achieved economic success and democracy as other Asian countries have floundered. Yet China continues to talk of recovering Taiwan, and the UN will not use the country’s name. Daniel Lynch attributes this to China’s international wealth and power and the world’s acquiescence to the Chinese government’s bullying. He calls on the...

Infiltrators of North Korea: Tiny Radios

James Brooke March 3, 2003
During the Kim family’s 60-year rule over North Korea, the rest of the world has witnessed a communications boom: especially in recent years the Internet, cell phones, and the rest of the “information revolution” have made it easy to communicate from thousands of miles away. But Pyongyang's communist regime has made it all but impossible for North Koreans to take part in that revolution....

No More E-6 Visas for Foreign Dancers

Kim Kyung-ho February 27, 2003
Each year, hundreds of foreign women arrive in South Korea seeking employment as dancers or performers. Now, reports have surfaced of women promised decent jobs and then forced to become bar hostesses or perform sexual acts. As a result, the South Korean government has decided to cancel visas for women who plan to dance at nightspots, but not in stage arts performances. Still, the government may...