Letter From The Bureau

Letter from Tochigi

A Japan prison so comfortable, elderly women commit petty crime to get thrown behind bars

Inmates working with sewing machines at Tochigi Prison, Japan's largest female correctional facility.

Letter from Hong Kong

A Hong Kong island gears up for its most exciting time of the year. And it’s all about buns

Contestants for Cheung Chau island’s famous “bun-scrambling” competition get to climb the bamboo tower during a training session.

Letter From Pahang

‘They’re scared to stay’: Some turn old Malay houses into welcoming resorts

The White Gallery at Sentosa Janda Baik features owner Omar Ariff’s collection of Malay daggers – keris – from around the world.

Letter From Indonesia

Jogging in Jakarta? You may find pictures of yourself posted online

ktrun - Street photographers line the area around the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex in the Senayan area of Central Jakarta.

All photos by Karina Tehusijarana

Letter from Taipei

‘We really struggle to say ‘no’’: Eldest daughters in Taiwan and the invisible burden they carry

wyyletter01 - Taiwanese writer Chang Hui-tzu's book has sparked discussions about "eldest daughter syndrome" in Taiwan.
ST PHOTO: YIP WAI YEE

Letter From Masbate

For these Philippine cowboys, rodeo is tradition and livelihood, not just a Wild West import

A bull rider tries to balance on top of a raging bull during Rodeo Masbateno on April 14 in Masbate, Philippines.

Letter from Jeju

Life after 50: Why two women moved to Jeju and dived into a vanishing trade

Mdm Choi Soon-duk with her 93-year-old haenyeo mentor. The Jeju haenyeo community is known for its tight-knit and matrilineal structure.

Letter From Kampot, Kep

A new airport, a ‘Merlion’ and a vow to clean up scams: Can Cambodia attract more tourists?

At Boeung Tuk salt farm in Kampot, women covered in hats and scarves toil in the sun to harvest heaps of salt. The salt is sold domestically and also to overseas markets.

Letter From Chongqing

The mysterious origins of a spicy, grilled fish dish

awkaoyu - Grilled fish served with pickled peppers is a specialty in Wanzhou district in Chongqing. China's national food and catering industry body named Wanzhou the hometown of kaoyu in 2018.

ST PHOTO: AW CHENG WEI

Letter from Hong Kong

‘Scrappy and so adaptable - like Hong Kong people’: Promoting the city’s iconic food

Hong Kong foodie influencer Virginia Chan sampling dishes at a “daipaidong”-style (street food) restaurant in Mong Kok.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.