Accessibility links
Asia Asia

Asia

In Japan, Holding Onto Political Reins Proves Elusive

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan speaks during a news conference in Tokyo in May. The beleaguered leader is expected to step down in coming weeks. Koji Sasahara/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Koji Sasahara/AP

Rebuilding Japan

In Japan, Holding Onto Political Reins Proves Elusive

For months, critics have called for the resignation of Japan's much-unloved prime minister, Naoto Kan. The frailty of the country's leadership reflects the fact that Japan has yet to enjoy a fully democratic political system.

The Quest For Kosher Among China's Other Billion

Michael Levy enjoys a game of Mahjiang with local youth. Courtesy Of The Author hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy Of The Author

World

The Quest For Kosher Among China's Other Billion

After the Sept. 11 attacks, author Michael Levy joined the Peace Corps. He was sent to China's poorest province, where he struggled to keep kosher and discovered that locals view religion and patriotism in ways many Americans do not expect. Levy discusses his experience with host Michel Martin.

China Fears U.S. Debt Default, But Has Few Options

Senior Chinese official Dai Bingguo and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shake hands before their meetings in Shenzhen, China, on Monday. Saul Loeb/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Saul Loeb/AP

China Fears U.S. Debt Default, But Has Few Options

The country owns almost $1.2 trillion of the U.S. debt. Diplomats have been expressing concern over a potential default, and while they may use the moment to win political points, experts say there's not much else they can do. They're "along for the ride," one analyst says.

China's Professional Queuers Paid To Stand Around

Customers line up at an Apple store for the launch of the iPhone 4 in Shanghai in 2010. Lines for everything from luxury handbags to social service programs can go on for days — literally. One entrepreneur in Shanghai will wait in line for you, for around $3 an hour. Eugene Hoshiko/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Eugene Hoshiko/AP

China's Professional Queuers Paid To Stand Around

In China, lines are everywhere: from eight different queues at the hospital to a week-long camp-out for admission to a kindergarten. Li Qicai has made a career out of waiting in line for clients who pay about $3 an hour. "You don't need any skills, except the ability to suffer," he says.

Crash Raises Concern Over China's Bullet Train Plans

A wrecked train carriage is lifted from the scene of a crash Saturday involving two trains in Wenzhou, in China's Zhejiang province. ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images

Crash Raises Concern Over China's Bullet Train Plans

Beijing plans to expand the high-speed rail network — already the world's biggest — to link far-flung regions. But Saturday's accident that killed dozens of people has underscored doubts about the system's safety. A 2-year-old girl was reportedly pulled alive from the wreckage almost a day after the crash.

For Chinese Moms, Birth Means 30 Days In Pajamas

New parents Wu Lili (left) and Mo Shiwei hold their 29-day-old baby boy. The new mom is staying at the Weige center in Beijing, which provides luxury accommodation and 24-hour nursing staff to woman who are participating in the Chinese tradition of "sitting the month." Andrea Hsu/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Andrea Hsu/NPR

Culture And Traditions

For Chinese Moms, Birth Means 30 Days In Pajamas

The age-old tradition known as "sitting the month" has strict rules. New moms are not allowed to shower, eat raw vegetables or drink cold water. Still, there are some modern twists: Wealthy mothers are paying to stay in luxury confinement centers with round-the-clock supervision from nurses.