In 1945, Japan could not win the war. But it fought on hoping to exhaust the Americans and secure a more favourable peace. In only led to more carnage. My latest documentary is through the eyes of Japanese civilian survivors, who want Japan to recognise and apologise for their suffering. 👇

South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck Soo has had his impeachment overturned, meaning he'll get his job and powers back. Of course the main event is whether the Constitutional Court does the same for President Yoon Suk Yeol -- verdict expected to be any day now. en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2025...

If you’re more of a visual person - here’s the television version, which includes an AI model of me. (Visuals have that deepfake sheen, but the audio is scarily spot on.) How those suffering grief are turnjng to AI 👇 youtu.be/HnKw9WYTpkc?...

“An unexpected healing of wounds.” Using VR or AI to reanimate the dead may sound like a Black Mirror episode, but it is becoming increasingly real and convincing. Can the tech help or hinder the grieving process? My latest on “grief bots” in South Korea 👇 www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...

With South Korea’s Constitutional Court soon to deliver impeachment verdict of President Yoon Suk Yeol, there are increasing concerns about possible unrest and violence. Here’s my latest on the MAGA tactics deployed by his most hardened followers 👇 www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...

Amid this rather chaotic news cycle - here’s a nice little television yarn from me, showcasing Japan’s famous synchronised walking. Enjoy! youtu.be/lLtR03xjsko?...

New Gallup Korea numbers are out, with a few interesting pieces of data. Mini-thread incoming.

Australian satire takes on Korean politics

There’s a feeling among pro-Yoon supporters a communist sympathising deep state is out to get their leader. It’s a calling card that would typically unite his older supporters, but there was a notable presence of 20 and 30 somethings at the protest too. My latest 👇 www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...

Just in: Yoon Suk Yeol's lawyer says he will be absent from the first hearing of his impeachment trial on Jan 14 out of "concerns about his personal safety".

Update: S. Korea's transport ministry has revealed that both black boxes from the Jeju Air plane crash stopped recording approximately 4 minutes before the aircraft collided with a concrete structure, potentially complicating efforts to determine exact cause of crash. Reason remains unknown.

Shamans, conspiracies, 'stop the steal'. No, this isn't the MAGA movement. These are the tactics of South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. It may be at odds with the mainstream public, but it seems to be helping Yoon... at least a bit. My latest 👇 www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...

"If they were going to make an emergency landing with the undercarriage up, why didn't the fire tenders lay foam on the runway?” “Why weren't they in attendance when the plane touched down?” Many questions from yesterday’s fatal Jeju plane crash in South Korea 1/2 www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

Firefighters EXPECT** all on board have died, except two rescued.

Firefighters except all on board Jeju aircraft, except two rescued, have died. The aircraft was landing at Muan International Airport. Live blog here: www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

Death toll now at 62. ABC running a live blog with all the latest: www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

Horrible news -- death toll from Muan International Airport plane crash now at 47, according to Yonhap. The Jeju aircraft, returning from Bangkok, was attempting a crash landing due to a malfunctioning landing gear, authorities say.

Bit of extra detail.... There are six judges on Constitutional Court, which is hearing the matter of Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. There are meant to be nine. SO, the court would need a unanimous decision to uphold impeachment, instead of majority.

South Korea has now impeached the acting President Han Duck-soo less than two weeks after he took over for President Yoon Suk Yeol. en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2024...

Extraordinary case from Taiwan: Woman allegedly gave rat poison to her Australian friend because he was leaving the country early. While in hospital, she allegedly continued to lace his food and drink with rat poison. Now charges laid. My latest. www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

The elation in Seoul last night when President Yoon was impeached was comparable to a victorious penalty shootout in the FIFA World Cup. A dramatic rise and fall for Yoon, from anti corruption crusader to… this mess. My feature - feat. @joelatkinson.bsky.social www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

Yoon's impeachment proceeding to begin at 4pm local today. If it passes, it goes to the Constitutional Court, which must decide within 180 days whether to support or reject it. (The court plays the role of the U.S. Senate in the American presidential impeachment process.)

Yoon's approval rating has sunk to an all-time low of 11%, according to Gallup Korea.

I wrote a thread about the insurrection in South Korea, which received significant attention. However, with so much news pouring in and the situation changing by the minute, I decided to stop updating that thread. Instead, I am starting new threads on a few specific topics.

This space is quickly evolving. Great wrap below 👇

Ishiba has shelved a January trip to South Korea in light of, well, ::waves hands:: www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZ...

Well, that’s quite embarrassing: a nation’s President banned from international travel. www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

The head of South Korea's ruling conservative party appears to have just abandoned Yoon Suk Yeol. He now seemingly will support Yoon's impeachment.

Japanese court admitted Australian grandmother cought with 2kg of meth in suitcase was the victim of a love scam. But - it concluded - she ignored the red flags that what she was getting cought up in was possibly illegal. Therefore, six years prison. www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

What on earth was South Korea’s President thinking in imposing martial law?! Well, no one can be completely sure except the President himself - BUT here’s my wrap of how Yoon Suk Yeol was backed into a corner, thanks to a luxury handbag and a spring onion. www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

Aussie grandmother blaming love scammer for her being caught in Japan with 2kg meth: Final day of evidence heard she shared an article warning of romance scammers, and the parallels between those examples and her own online BF. Her response: he didn’t ask for money. www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11...

If you’re interested in Australian foreign policy, particularly regarding the Indo Pacific, this is the journo to follow 👇

There’s no question Australian grandmother Donna Nelson had almost 2kg of meth hidden in her suitcase, after arriving at Tokyo’s Narita Airport. The question is whether she knew it was there. Her defence says she’s the innocent victim of a love scam. My latest: www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11...

Drug mule or innocent victim of a love scam? Latest from me ahead of court case in Tokyo, involving Australian Donna Nelson www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11...

The fact Meta actively discouraged news was what stopped it for me. While this platform was just too small. Hopefully this next wave of enthusiasm is more than a flash in pan.

I see people are having another crack at this platform. Threads was an odd place.

It’s existed in a legal grey zone for decades, but now dog meat will be officially off the table in South Korea from 2027.

Concern over school bullying in South Korea has become so severe, parents are hiring private investigators. “Since the number of phone calls has increased so much, I see that school violence is much more deeply rooted than we think,” said one investigator, who gets 2-3 calls a day. My latest 👇

Combini culture going Down Under? Australia’s 711 sold to Japan owner.

Noisy kids ruining your dining experience? (Maybe they’re your own kids 😬) Well, South Korea has seen a proliferation of kids-free zones. But some parents say it’s discriminatory and sends the wrong message: have kids, just keep them at home. My latest:

If you prefer to WATCH this story, visiting the wonderful (albeit eery) Scarcrow City AKA Nagoro, alongside the ambitious Kamiichi, you can on YouTube:

Remember Italy’s 1 euro homes? Well, one Japanese town has gone further - offering FREE homes. With Japan getting old and lonely, the country is desperately trying to address its ageing and shrinking population. Kamiichi has a novel solution, for others, it’s just too late. My story 👇

Breaking news from ABC - Australian naval divers suffer minor injuries after “unsafe and unprofessional” behaviour from Chinese warship

"Last year, Japan awarded a record 202 people refugee status and had a 2% refugee application approval rate." Australia's refugee intake for the year is expected to around 20,000.

“This tragedy cannot go on.” Compelling read - one of the best I’ve read - about current Israel Gaza conflict, by our global affairs editor John Lyons.

If Japan successfully strips Unification Church of religious entity status, property tax exemption is gone, and it'll have to dispose of its assets. It could still conduct religious activities. This comes after it allegedly bankrupted mother of gunman, who assassinated former PM Shinzo Abe.

Also an exact overlay of tankie maps showing US military bases in Asia.

Some Australian media (The Aus, Sky, Fox, DailyMail) is reporting that Japanese media is reporting Wallabies coach Eddie Jones "set to return to Japan" to coach their team. Problem is, I cannot find such reports. And no Australian media is actually attributing or quoting. So... what reports? 🤷‍♂️

Here’s the actual article on news.. not much there now but it’ll be updated with all the latest: www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10...

Some #BREAKING news Australian journalist Cheng Lei has been freed from China, and is back in Melbourne, Australian Prime Minister says. She was detained on "security" grounds in Aug 2020. Here's some background: www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08...