Overview of 'Asia Insight' Season 12

Episode 1 - Street Food as Social Rehabilitation: Thailand

Release Date: 2023-01-06

The Thailand Institute of Justice is using street food carts as a form of social experiment that attempts to help former prisoners rehabilitate into society. In the program, they take a seminar on cooking and business, and are provided with a food cart and startup money. Support team leader Thanachai Sundaravej gets to know each of the participants, and gives them advice considering each of their unique circumstances. In this episode, we get to know the people who seek a new chance through street food.

Episode 2 - Bonding in the Barangay: The Philippines

Release Date: 2023-01-13

In the Philippines, where natural disasters and poverty are a continuing issue, people depend on their barangays for help and assistance. Barangays are the smallest administrative units in the country, carrying out various services, from health and welfare to disaster management. In Manila's Chinatown, community ties are especially close due to a history of persecution of people of Chinese descent under Spanish rule. We focus on one barangay's community bonding in the lead-up to Christmas.

Episode 3 - Reforming the National Sport of Muay Thai: Thailand

Release Date: 2023-01-20

Thailand's Muay Thai boxing is a powerful martial art in which fighters strike with their arms and legs. Gambling on the sport has been common, leading to corruption such as fixed bouts. To regain trust in the sport, the Royal Thai Army forbade gambling in the most prominent stadium, which it operates. Promoters attempt to generate interest through means such as music performances and women's matches, but along with fighters, they grapple with the prospect of holding the yearly stadium anniversary show while keeping gambling out of the ring.

Episode 4 - Fishermen Face Land Development: Penang, Malaysia

Release Date: 2023-01-27

The livelihoods of fishermen residing in Malaysia's Penang State are being placed at risk by a plan to construct enormous artificial islands with a total area of 1,800 hectares. Having worked in these waters for generations, the local fishermen are concerned about the intrusion into one of the country's most productive fishing sites for shrimp. Meanwhile, other fishermen work to preserve mangrove forests in the Penang area. In this episode, we voyage alongside the Malaysian fishermen who seek to continue living and working in harmony with the environment.

Episode 5 - Seniors! Back to School: Thailand

Release Date: 2023-02-03

In just 20 years, Thailand's senior population has doubled in size. Many seniors find themselves isolated at home, while others suffer from stress, depression and other mental health issues. One new initiative is looking to prevent age-related issues and encourage social integration: Schools for seniors, aimed at those over sixty. Classes cover social media, fraud awareness and practical career training. Explore how "senior school" has given many isolated elderly people a new lease on life.

Episode 6 - "On That Day, We Were Fearless": China's White Paper Movement

Release Date: 2023-02-10

Spurred by a series of deadly accidents during the zero-COVID policy, young people in China have begun to express their political objections with blank white paper, symbolizing the people's inability to criticize the government. The gesture spread across China, with protestors holding large gatherings speaking out against the government in over 20 cities nationwide. This episode shares the voices of young protestors who took part in the demonstration in Shanghai.

Episode 7 - House of Manga Aspirations: Japan

Release Date: 2023-02-17

Japan is the home of manga. With over 140 manga magazines, it's produced countless international hits. A Tokyo NPO runs several share houses for young artists who hope to make a mark as manga creators. Those aged 18-35 who are seriously pursuing the profession may live in these homes. Some offer direct guidance from professionals and over 120 artists in these share houses have since made their professional debut. Meet the young people chasing their dreams over their three-year residence.

Episode 8 - Tokyo's Sustainable Fishermen

Release Date: 2023-02-24

The waters of Tokyo Bay once teemed with life. But Japan's economic rise saw coastal areas reclaimed and water quality undermined, and catches soon plummeted. Today, fishermen are working hard to restore the region's environment and marine resources. Conger eel fishers use equipment that allow fry to escape, while others are farming oysters on tidal flats as an alternative to diminished seaweed and asari clam harvests. A group of 300 fishermen have imposed strict rules upon themselves in order to protect and grow the splendid alfonsino population. Meet the passionate people working to shape a more sustainable future.

Episode 9 - Trains Carry Workers Home After Zero-COVID: China

Release Date: 2023-03-03

After 3 years under the Zero-COVID Policy, movement restrictions in China have been removed, allowing migrant workers in major cities to travel home to visit their families. Train lines like the K-134 running from Shenzhen are now accessible, creating a rush of prospective passengers hoping to make it home in time for the Chinese New Year. Some have had their professions disrupted by the pandemic, while others have discovered new opportunities. All of them compete for a limited number of seats on the train, as we ride alongside the workers attempting the long trip home.

Episode 10 - Taiwan's 100,000 Emergency Shelters

Release Date: 2023-03-17

As political tensions run high between Taiwan and mainland China, inspections are being carried out of 100,000 emergency air-raid shelters, which have been mandatory in the construction of large buildings since 1971. Local leaders prepare the shelters and attempt to motivate citizens in the district to take part in evacuation drills, despite attitudes of complacency or aggression that have recently emerged. In this episode, we unearth the shelters that stand waiting to protect the residents of Taiwan.

Episode 11 - Youth Living in the Changing Hong Kong

Release Date: 2023-03-31

Under the one country, two systems principle, Hong Kong had been allowed a right to free speech. But after protest rallies there called for democratization in 2019, the National Security Law was passed to clamp down on anti-government activities, and many activists were arrested and imprisoned. As the political face of Hong Kong changes with each passing day, young residents feel a sense of unease about whether they should remain in Hong Kong, and what the future there may bring.

Episode 12 - Pioneer of Food Waste Reduction: Taichung, Taiwan

Release Date: 2023-04-21

One-third of all food produced worldwide is wasted. Determined to do better, Taichung City in Taiwan enacted an ordinance on food banks in 2016. Under this framework, municipal food banks collect food nearing expiration and donate it to those in need; refrigerators in public markets allow unused food to make it into the hands of social welfare organizations; and a facility producing bio-powered electricity for 800 households has also been built. At the same time, the private sector is expanding its activities to eliminate waste. We look at the Taichung City-led effort to reduce food waste.

Episode 13 - A Flood of Climate Migration: Bangladesh

Release Date: 2023-05-12

Bangladesh is one of Asia's poorest countries and suffering some of the worst effects of climate change. Cyclones, floods and other disasters have led millions to lose their homes and become climate migrants. Those migrating to major cities such as Dhaka struggle to find work, while even rural towns are seeing their populations explode. Infrastructure is failing and local governments are struggling to find solutions. But new projects are seeking a way forward.

Episode 14 - The Struggle of Unwed Mothers: China

Release Date: 2023-05-19

Under China's One-Child Policy, maternity benefits had been confined only to married couples, excluding mothers of children born out of wedlock. In recent years, major cities have revised this policy to combat population decline, prompting more people to apply for the benefits. However, as preexisting social discrimination against unwed mothers still remains, many face an uphill battle in actually attaining these rights that should be due to all women.

Episode 15 - Shaping Sustainable Cashmere: Mongolia

Release Date: 2023-06-09

Mongolia's nomads are raising an increasing number of cashmere goats. The goats' soft undercoats provide the raw wool for luxury cashmere fabric, and is an important cash income. But this rise has also triggered serious environmental problems. Because goats pull grass out by the roots when grazing, nearly 80% of Mongolia's land is threatened by desertification. We follow the NPOs, companies and nomads working to restore the plains, and realize a higher standard of living.

Episode 16 - The Reality Faced by Nepal's Workers Overseas

Release Date: 2023-06-16

Due to limited options available in their home country, many Nepali workers travel to locations such as the Middle East and Malaysia to send home funds that support the lives and education of their families. However, the work conditions they find waiting for them are often harsh, and many sustain kidney damage. Some even lose their lives, leaving families to support themselves. In this episode, we speak to the workers who face these conditions for the good of their families.

Episode 17 - Refuge in a Train - Life After the Turkey Earthquake

Release Date: 2023-06-23

Three months after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Turkey, 2.5 million people are still displaced. One of the hardest-hit areas is Iskenderun, Hatay Province, where sleeper trains in a corner of the station are functioning as temporary shelters. In this episode, we focus on some of the people - more than 100 at last count - who still call these carriages home. We hear from a couple who lost their home, a woman struggling to overcome trauma with her husband's support, and a child who can't face going back to school.

Episode 18 - Violence-Free Stadiums: Indonesia

Release Date: 2023-06-30

In October 2022, a tragedy took place at an Indonesian soccer stadium, taking the lives of 135 people. After the match, fans stormed the pitch. Security forces fired large amounts of tear gas in response. The resulting panic caused a fatal stampede. Bereaved families criticize the unnecessary escalation of the authorities, as they fight to uncover the truth behind the tragedy. Others seek to improve relations between rival supporters and transform Indonesia's often violent soccer culture.

Episode 19 - Attempted Change in the Garment Industry: Bangladesh

Release Date: 2023-07-07

Bangladesh is well known as an international garment producer, with 4.2 million people employed by the industry, many working in factories to sew apparel for overseas brands. But in 2013, the nation was shocked by an accident in which the collapse of an illegally expanded building holding several factories claimed more than 1,100 lives. The incident drew worldwide criticism and caused safety regulations to be imposed. Now caught between strict regulations, rising costs and the constant demand for lower prices from overseas buyers, factory owners and their employees find it hard to earn a living.

Episode 20 - Struggling Elderly Migrant Workers: Xi'an, China

Release Date: 2023-07-14

The Banpo Labor Market located in the city of Xi'an was once known as a prime location for recruiting laborers. Now, almost all those who gather to find work are in their 50s or 60s. But to prevent construction site accidents, some major cities are passing ordinances that forbid the employment of people 60 or older. Migrant workers who need to sustain themselves accept jobs out of contract, and disputes are frequent. In this episode, we meet the workers who once fueled China's economic growth, but are now being left in the dust.

Episode 21 - Herding Above the Clouds: Pakistan

Release Date: 2023-07-28

For generations, Pakistan's Wakhi people have herded each summer in Pamir, a high-altitude grassland that is vital to raising the livestock upon which they depend. The difficult trek there along winding mountain paths was once a summer ritual for families, but the tradition has changed since more people are deciding to keep their children in school instead. In this episode, we travel with the Wakhi people on a journey at risk of being lost to time.

Episode 22 - To Live is to Paint: Mongolia

Release Date: 2023-08-04

Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar is home to the country's only art school that accepts students with disabilities. Currently, 13 of its 50 students have intellectual or physical disabilities. One graduate is now a professional artist who has enjoyed success in the US and Japan. Accessibility remains a challenge in Mongolia, and there are few educational and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Many live isolated from society. By teaching students of all abilities side by side, the school has become a source of hope for many students and their families. As the school approaches its 30th anniversary, meet the students chasing their artistic dreams, and the principal and teachers who guide them.

Episode 23 - The Uncertainty of China's "Factory Inheritors"

Release Date: 2023-08-18

Chinese business founders who succeeded in manufacturing during the country's economic growth have reached retirement age. Now taking the helm from them are the "factory inheritors," their sons and daughters who have benefited from opportunities such as studying abroad. However, the conditions they face in China's manufacturing industry are far different than what they had studied, as they grapple with post-pandemic economic stagnancy that threatens to grow even worse. In this episode, we meet the young people who have inherited a battle for business survival.

Episode 24 - A Language Identity: Taiwan

Release Date: 2023-09-01

Taiwanese was the language of everyday life in Taiwan until the KMT Party under Chiang Kai-shek came to power in 1949. Then martial law was enforced, the use of Taiwanese was banned, and Mandarin Chinese became the dominant language. Today, Taiwanese is spoken and read mostly by elderly people. But as concerns grow about the loss of linguistic heritage, and against a backdrop of political tension with the mainland, young people in particular are seeking to bring back Taiwanese. A social media star, young mothers and nature guides are among the people we meet who are reexamining their identity through the medium of the Taiwanese language.

Episode 25 - A Country Goes Digital: Cambodia

Release Date: 2023-09-08

In October 2020, the National Bank of Cambodia became the first central bank in Asia to launch a digital currency. With the US dollar representing 90% of the cash circulating in the country, the bank decided to promote use of domestic currency through technology. Three years on, digital payments are a common sight in urban areas – a huge change for the once cash-focused economy. Now, the bank has turned its sights to rural Cambodia. What will the changes mean for the lives of rural residents?

Episode 26 - Recognition for Paternity Leave: South Korea

Release Date: 2023-09-15

To combat a declining fertility rate, in recent years the government of South Korea has offered increased financial aid to parents who apply for leave from work. Although guaranteed paternity leave by law, many fathers discover that upon returning to work, they face overt harassment such as lack of promotions, or more subtle interference. In response, support groups aspire to create a legal framework that protects working fathers, and to change society's perception of them.

Episode 27 - Cambodia's Hip-hop School for Children

Release Date: 2023-10-06

In 2005, Cambodia's first alternative school, Tiny Toones, was opened in Phnom Penh. In addition to general subjects, it adds courses on rap and dance into the mix. It was founded by a Cambodian man raised in the United States, who discovered a new purpose imparting his unique knowledge to young people. Most of the students come from impoverished backgrounds, and some enroll after dropping out of the public school system, or fleeing a turbulent family life. The school even provides dormitories to students if needed. In this episode, we meet the staff and children who have created a new place to belong through their shared love of hip-hop.

Episode 28 - Making Food Waste Useful: The Philippines

Release Date: 2023-10-20

The Philippines' growing economy and population have led to a rise in trash, and it has become a serious social issue. Over half of this trash is food waste, and one woman hopes to use it to improve the lives of poor families. Lorilyn Daquioag uses microbes from the forest to break down food waste and produce a liquid solution that makes top-quality organic fertilizer. By distributing this for free to poor neighborhoods, she can track its efficacy on vegetables and flowers. The plan is to grow delicious, healthy vegetables for locals, and eventually produce a surplus to be sold at the market. Follow Lorilyn as she takes on the two-fold challenge of waste and poverty with a single solution.

Episode 29 - Artistic Coexistence in Treasure Hill: Taiwan

Release Date: 2023-10-27

Treasure Hill is a community and artist village run by the city of Taipei since 2010. Originally a settlement built by retired soldiers and immigrants, the buildings were deemed illegal and unsafe, and condemned to demolition. Twenty years of demonstrations and activism by locals persuaded the city to preserve the area, and it was turned into an "artist village" with studios and exhibition spaces. 22 artists from Taiwan and abroad live alongside ordinary residents. Meet the locals working hard to preserve the community's history.

Episode 30 - The Rise in Young Chinese Street Vendors

Release Date: 2023-11-10

With an unemployment rate of over 20% among people under age 25, mass layoffs in China have affected the careers of young people. In response, many have decided to take their futures into their own hands and open stalls as street vendors. Although they may earn less than before, they can work without fear of suddenly losing their jobs, and some see vending as a chance for networking or study in preparation for other work. In this episode, we gather along with the young people seeking out stability amidst an uncertain future.

Episode 31 - Newspaper of the Street Children: India

Release Date: 2023-11-17

Balaknama is an Indian newspaper written and edited entirely by underprivileged children, focusing on news from their own neighborhoods. The paper is available in both Hindi and English, and 8,000 copies are printed monthly. Stories range from fires and kidnappings to the inspiring account of a child recovering from drug addiction. We follow the 17-year-old chief editor, 16-year-old reporter and a 13-year-old rookie as they document the world they live in and work for a better future.

Episode 32 - Online Voice Actors Go Global: The Philippines

Release Date: 2023-12-08

The rise of the internet has made the Philippines into a hub for dubbing international movies, TV shows, and cartoons into English. Meet the Filipino voice actors taking on the global market.

Episode 33 - A Border School of Hope: Mae Sot, Thailand

Release Date: 2023-12-22

A school in Mae Sot, Thailand, located just across the border with Myanmar, shelters immigrant children of all ages, providing education to many who face the effects of poverty or the civil war.