Contributor
Culture & Cities Writer
Naomi Tsukada writes on urban culture, nightlife and creative industries across East Asia.
A new Australian horror-comedy series highlights a global appetite for whimsical, violent escapism, mirroring a changing approach to consumer products and urban spaces.
SINGAPORE —After decades, a chef's consistent approach to Cantonese cooking continues to resonate, even as new formats and celebrity demands reshape kitchen culture.
While some parts of Costa Rica face deluge, residents in Guanacaste navigate a landscape parched by unusual weather patterns, compelling shifts in how life is lived and observed.
Guanajuato's tech investments signal a subtle but significant shift in how history and digital infrastructure are being woven together.
SINGAPORE —A rise in complaints about used cars in Singapore points to a shifting relationship between buyer and seller, rooted in the very mechanics of a vehicle's life.
The urban fabric of cities like Mexico City, built upon historical vulnerabilities, offers a stark mirror to similar seismic risks across the Pacific Rim, reshaping how residents perceive their own ground.
SINGAPORE —The recent conviction of two car dealers reveals a persistent undercurrent in how business is conducted, despite the city-state's reputation for order.
SINGAPORE —Unexpected hockey victories are reshaping how urbanites connect with distant athletic narratives, even for those beyond North America.
A limited-time beverage collaboration signals shifts in celebrity marketing and global consumption patterns, affecting local markets.
SINGAPORE —The decision by Syed Saddiq and Bella Astillah to host two 'Kenduri Rakyat' wedding receptions marks a notable shift in public engagement for prominent figures.
SINGAPORE —A new report places Canada high in a global intelligence index, yet its framework may miss the nuances of societal acumen across the Asia-Pacific.
Patrick Radden Keefe’s 'London Falling' shortlisting for the Baillie Gifford prize offers a glimpse into how urban narratives, when told with precision, resonate far beyond their original borders.
SINGAPORE —The shuttering of a high-profile eatery in Canada, backed by a major food group, invites questions about broader trends in how Asian diaspora communities evaluate cities beyond economic factors.
The juxtaposition of a pop star performance and a trash-fishing competition in a Mexican resort city illustrates a broader tension between established and emerging forms of visitor engagement.
SINGAPORE —Chanel's high jewellery collection arrives in Singapore, highlighting a deeper cultural negotiation between global luxury and personal symbolism across the Asia-Pacific.
HONG KONG —A Gen Z entrepreneur's journey in Hong Kong reflects shifts in consumer values beyond mere product preference.
SINGAPORE —A two-week dispute over a pavilion's name at a major Asian art event suggests a shifting cultural landscape, where artistic integrity can prevail over political pressure.
The detention of Luis Galeano in Florida reveals more than just an individual's struggle; it hints at a systemic shift in how those in precarious circumstances are perceived, and where their cultural value is recognised.
SINGAPORE —Beneath the surface of everyday disposals, a shift in consumption is reshaping regional waste streams.
The recent chikungunya outbreak in San José, though geographically distant, signals a subtle but significant cultural shift that resonates far beyond its borders, touching coastal regions across the Pacific.
Pete Fry's proposal for faster housing approvals and Canadian-built construction hints at a shifting urban planning dialogue, a conversation that resonates across Asia-Pacific cities grappling with growth and affordability.
Hans Zimmer's Vancouver concert offers a lens into shifting cultural consumption, where established global acts define value, shaping local economies and consumer expectations.
SINGAPORE —The Land Transport Authority's assessment of vehicle door recalls, while technically framed, reflects a subtle negotiation of trust between the city's inhabitants and its increasingly complex machines.
SINGAPORE —A rise in international air passengers to Japan speaks to more than just numbers; it indicates a subtle, yet profound, redirection of regional movement and cultural gravity.
Amidst the spectacle of seasonal celebrations, a small Toronto initiative reflects a broader, often overlooked, civic change.
SINGAPORE —Recent legal actions concerning animal captivity highlight a tension between private desires and public order in Asia-Pacific cities.
SINGAPORE —An actress's gesture reveals more than generosity in a shifting Asia.
A letter from global authors highlights a chilling precedent for cultural expression, a warning that transcends distant borders.
Allegations surrounding a royal response and calculated public display reveal how ancient institutions navigate modern scrutiny.
SINGAPORE —The adaptive reuse of colonial sites in Sao Tome and Principe suggests a path for Asia-Pacific nations navigating difficult pasts.