Asia News

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JAPAN:
The Japanese island of Okinawa was struck by Typhoon Jelawat last Saturday which left several thousand with households without power and over 50 people were injured. Some vehicles were overturned. At the U.S. Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, winds of 180 mph were reported.
Japanese automaker sales in China are taking a big hit as a result of the anti-Japan demonstrations taking place all over China. Even Chinese citizens have been endangered if they purchase Japanese products. In mid September a man driving a brand new Toyota Corolla in Xian had to escape with his life when an angry mob destroyed his car and he was hospitalized with a blow to the head. More than just Japanese autos, protests in over 80 Chinese cities have resulted in Japanese owned factories and stores being looted and burned.
Automakers Mazda, Toyota, Nissan, and Suzuki have temporarily ceased production in China. All if this is the result of continuing clashes between China and Japan over disputed uninhabited islands.
NEPAL:
In Nepal, a plane carrying nineteen people to a staging area for Mt Everest expeditions struck an eagle and crashed in flames, killing all aboard. Three of the dead were crew members, 7 were British and 5 were from China. The crash happened 2 minutes after takeoff from Katmandu international airport. The plane was operated by Sita Air.
MALAYSIA:
In Malaysia, AirAsia, the largest discount airline in Asia, announced a move to create child free seating sections on international flights starting in February. The plan will make the first seven rows of economy class free of children under 12 for an additional fee of about $11 U.S. It will be available on X flights which are its international routes.
MYANMAR:
Aung San Suu Kyi made a visit to Ft Wayne, Indiana, last week on Tuesday and spoke to a large gathering at the Indiana Memorial Coliseum. Many in the audience were refugees from Myanmar and live in Ft Wayne’s large Burmese community.
She told the crowd of about 5,000 people that “We are now at the most important and delicate juncture” of the transformation to democracy,” she told the audience. “Now we have to sort out what is really necessary, what is really progress, from what seems to be necessary and seems to be progress.” Her 10 minute talk was partly in English and partly in Burmese. She is on a 17 day visit to the U.S.