TOP STORIES
Gender-neutral toilets, Hello Kitty and Gundam highlights at the Osaka Expo
- 2025-05-29
- The Young Reporter
- By: LI Sin Tung、CHEN Yik NamEdited by: Jenny Lam
- 2025-05-29
What is the Osaka Expo? The Osaka World Expo opened on April 13, and it is the first post-COVID Expo. Over 160 countries, regions, and organizations are exhibiting their futuristic displays in over 80 pavilions, each with distinctive architectural designs. It is the second Expo in Osaka. The last one was in 1970. This year, it is in Yumeshima, or “dream island”, a reclaimed industrial waste burial site in Osaka Bay. The theme is “designing future society for our lives”. Each pavilion is divided into four zones: Connecting Lives, Saving Lives, Empowering Lives and Future Life. Ossaka Expo will run for 184 days until 13 October, 2025. What is the Grand Ring? The Grand Ring, designed by Fujimoto Sou, is the largest wooden architectural structure in the world, measuring 20 metres high and having a 2-kilometre circumference. It is constructed using a fusion of modern construction methods and traditional Nuki joints, such as those used in the construction of Japanese shrines and temples. The Grand Ring cost about 35 billion yen (HK$1.9 million) to build and used around 27,000 cubic metres of wood. “You can get such a great view of so many pavilions from the Grand Ring,” said Asa, a 30-year-old visitor from Saga, Japan. Asked about the “waste of money” discussion of the Grand Ring, Asa said she does not think there is anything wrong with the spending. “It is a big international event, so these expenses are necessary,” she said. A Hong Kong visitor, Steven Gong, 40, said the cost of the architecture is not worth it. “It is beautiful, but it is also a waste of resources and money if it cannot be reused,” he said. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition will consider recommendations from private enterprises and public organisations on how to …
Number of visitors at the Osaka Expo hits record high
- 2025-05-29
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: ZHANG Yiping、CAO JiawenEdited by: CAO Jiawen、ZHANG Yiping
- 2025-05-29
The Osaka Expo drew approximately 139,000 visitors on May 23rd, breaking the record for the highest number of visitors on a single day, despite ongoing complaints over confusing booking systems and long waiting times. The total number of visitors exceeded 5 million on May 26th, 44 days into the six-month event, according to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. But that still falls short of expectations, as the Expo is projected by the association to have a total of 28.2 million visitors (150,000 daily). “The waiting time for each pavilion is very long,” said a Japanese couple, Kayo Aoshima and Yoshiaki Aoshima, aged 82 and 78. “We went to the Arab Pavilion, where we had to wait for more than 30 minutes.” Kayo added. Pavilions at the Expo have different admission strategies. While a few only allow for those who have booked in advance to enter, others allow on-site queuing. With each ticket, visitors can make one reservation for one pavilion or event through a lottery system seven days before their visit. They can also reserve or adjust bookings during the three days leading up to their visit, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis. “We have visited many pavilions, such as the USA, Colombia, and the Netherlands, ” said David Aragon, 40, a Mexican tourist.“We had to wait for around one hour at each one of them.” “Maybe more info outside the pavilions to know what is inside and exactly where we can enter something,” added Aragon. Nishijima Ryo, chief of Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, who was overseeing work at the Future of Life Pavilion, explained why only visitors with reservations could be admitted. “In this pavilion, you can wear an earphone device and experience the exhibition,” he said. “The number of machines is limited, so we limit …
Japan Stocks edges lower after Moody’s cuts U.S. credit ratings, export sectors shine
- 2025-05-19
- Business
- By: XIA Fan、WANG Ruoshui、ZHAO RuntongEdited by: XIA Fan、WANG Ruoshui、ZHAO Runtong
- 2025-05-19
Nikkei 225, Japan’s premier stock market index tracking the performance of 225 large publicly traded companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, opened at 37572.36 today and dropped 0.68% to 37480.37 as of the market's end. TOPIX, an index overing all domestic common stocks mostly listed on the TSE Prime Market, traded higher at midday at 2744.16, but later reversed course and closed at 2740.45, down 0.075% compared with yesterday. Performances of Japan’s stock market aligned with global cautious sentiment after Moody’s downgraded the US government's top credit ratings. Export-oriented stocks went up amid the falling market. Pharmaceutical company Daiichi Sankyo surged 7.06% to 3,698 yen, which continued the growth trend since last week. Manufacturer Konica Minolta added 6.31% to 469 yen, while Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rose 3.04% to all time highs of 2,916 yen. Beverage company Sapporo Holdings jumped 2.92%to 7613, showing a trending up from the 3-month low on May 14. Analysts believe the weakening Japanese yen fostered a favorable environment for exporters, which would boost investor confidence in companies within this sector. A number of semiconductor-related stocks fell heavily today following the turmoil in U.S. markets. Lasertec Corporation (TSE: 6920), a designer and manufacturer of semiconductor testing equipment, saw its stock price plummet 5.16% today, making it one of the notable underperformers in the Japanese market. Market Commentators attribute this drop to the close correlation between Japanese semiconductor stocks and the U.S. semiconductor market performances. The PHLX Semiconductor Index fell 1.26% as of the report published time amid volatility driven by recent U.S. tariff fluctuations. Ongoing uncertainty in the U.S. market, fueled by frequent pauses and adjustments in tariff policies, has unsettled households and businesses. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management at the beginning of this year predicted a positive trajectory for the Japanese stock market, emphasizing …
Piu Sik parade returns to Cheung Chau on Buddha’s birthday
- 2025-05-09
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: AO Wei Ying VinciEdited by: AU YEUNG Jim
- 2025-05-09
Some 20 floats paraded down the streets of Cheung Chau along with children dressed up as celebrities on the annual Jiao Festival on May 5, the Buddha’s birthday. The parade kicked off at Pak She Street at 1:30pm, passing through New Hing Street, Tai Hing Tai Road, Secondary School Road, Chung Hing Street, Tai Choi Yuen Road, Tai Sun Back Street, Hing Lung Main Street, New Hing Back Street, and concluded at Pak She Street again at around 4:30pm. Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, also known as the Bun Festival, is a Hong Kong folk festival that’s supposed to give thanks to the deities. This year, characters from mainland Chinese animation Ne Zha 2 were a hit. Children also dressed up as National Games athletes, members of the “KK Park” scam group in Myanmar that detained Hong Kong residents, and the Hong Kong police’s anti-scam mascot “Little Grape.” The children in costumes, known as Piu Sik, sat on stilts carried by adults during the parade. One of the performers included a girl wearing a sun hat and an orange shirt holding up a sign, to warn the public against scam farm jobs. Spectators lined the streets under the scorching sun and in the humidity. “This is my first time at the parade. My favourite “Piu Sik” is Ne Zha because I liked the movie a lot,” said Xuan, 10, a Beijing tourist in Hong Kong with his parents during the “Golden Week” holiday in the mainland. “I think this year’s Piu Sik parade is not exceptional since I have attended this event for 20 years already,” said Poon Lai-yin, 50, a Tin Shui Wai resident. “I hope I don't have to wait too long for the ferries when I leave. The arrangement last year was really messy.” On-site police announced crowd …
Navigating Hong Kong malls with sight impairment
- 2025-05-07
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: CHEN Yik Nam、LI Sin Tung、CHAN Wing Yiu、Cheuk Chi Maggie YEUNGEdited by: Jenny Lam
- 2025-05-07
Accessible facilities, especially tactile paths for the blind are either inadequate or improper in most of the malls, no matter in Hong Kong or Shenzhen. Despite the government regulations on accessibility for people with sight impairment, related malls’ respondents and government departments avoid replying directly.
Closure of Deliveroo Reveals Unfair Work Conditions, Users Concerned about Delivery Fee
- 2025-05-04
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: ALISHIBA MATLOOB、Wing Chi HOEdited by: Chun Lim LEUNG
- 2025-05-04
After nine years, British food delivery giant, Deliveroo, officially ceases operations in Hong Kong. As the platform shuts down, riders and users are left with the impacts of shrinking wages and legal gaps, rising delivery fees, and fewer choices. Our reporter Gigi Ho reveals how the remaining platforms may be driving a deeper crisis in worker protections, given in example in Keeta’s "K-GO", a system that promises more orders in exchange for lower pay. (April 7, 2025) Reporter: Ho Wing-chi, Alishiba-Matloob Editor: Chun Lim LEUNG
As Australia’s Indigenous Languages Disappear, Experts are Working to Save Them
- 2025-04-30
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: CHAU Wing YauEdited by: KURNIAWAN Trista Vania
- 2025-04-30
Indigenous languages in Australia are endangered. Australia has more than 250 Indigenous languages and around 800 dialects, but only 150 are still spoken today, according to the Australian Insitute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, From European colonisation in the 18th century until the mid-20th century, Aboriginal communities were forbidden to speak their Indigenous languages. Now, most fluent speakers are elders and younger generations often don’t speak them at all. Last month, the Australian government unveiled its 2025 budget which included AU$ 3.6 million to continue digitising at-risk audio and video collections of Indigenous languages. We spoke to experts working on preserving and revitalising these languages for the next generation.
Local organic agriculture thrives with support from government and consumers
- 2025-04-28
- Culture & Leisure
- The Young Reporter
- By: Cheuk Chi Maggie YEUNG、MAO AnqiEdited by: CHAN Wing Yiu
- 2025-04-28
At 5am, Tsang Hing-yi, a 65-year-old farmer starts his daily routine by exercising. After some aerobics, he heads to the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Organic Farm, where he has worked as an employee for the past 14 years. “Work is not just harvesting but fertilising, weeding and digging,” he said. “During summertime, I need to have at least five outfits ready to change into because the heat is intense.” Nestled in the mountains in Yuen Long, the farm provides fresh organic vegetables to local customers, and adapts to seasonal changes tailored to the time of year, yielding an annual harvest of 20 tons, according to its website. “People need agriculture and cannot survive without it. This is very practical because all food is grown on farms,” Tsang said. “I will definitely keep doing it with motivation.” The Rural Sustainability Programme, a collaborative project by the University of Hong Kong, addresses the importance of local farms, aims to diversify the food supply, reduces carbon emissions and focuses on rural conservation. Government data shows that in 2024, local farms produced an average of 42 tons of vegetables daily, contributing 1.8% of Hong Kong’s fresh vegetable supply. Hong Kong's agriculture relies heavily on intensive land use and production. Out of the total 1,104 square kilometres of land, only 7.3 square kilometres are dedicated to crop cultivation, according to the government. Despite the limited land available for farming, some people, including Tsang, still insist on doing it. Founded in 2010, HKFYG Organic Farm is the only organisation that is certified by the US Department of Agriculture and Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre Certification Limited. According to the latter, 122 local farms have received accreditations from the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, a worldwide organisation advocating organic agriculture that sets standards of …
Kowloon City celebrates Songkran Festival
- 2025-04-24
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: SIU Tsz Hang、CHENG Tsz Sen SeanEdited by: AO Wei Ying Vinci
- 2025-04-24
Songkran Festival, a Thai New Year celebration, made its comeback in Kowloon City April 11 to 13. "Day X Night Vibes @ 18 Districts – Thai Festival: Songkran 2025", featured a water splashing, a pop up food market, Thai dance performances, Thai costume experiences, Muay Thai demonstration and boxing match. The highlight was a parade heading toward Tak Ku Ling Road. Reported by Henry Siu Tsz-hang, Sean Cheng Tsz-sen Edited by Vinci Ao Wei-ying
Largest Tin Hau Festival in Hong Kong Celebrated in Yuen Long
- 2025-04-21
- The Young Reporter
- By: CAO Siyuan、YAM Long Hei JamieEdited by: HWANG Saewon
- 2025-04-21
The Shap Pat Heung Tin Hau Festival parade, a three-hour procession from Yuen Long Town to Tai Shu Ha's Tin Hau Temple, featured 37 performing teams and attracted numerous visitors on April 20. The parade started at 10 a.m., featuring teams with paper flower tributes, as well as dragon and lion dances plus cultural performances. The parade, organised by Yuen Long's Shap Pat Heung village is the largest Tin Hau Festival celebrations in Hong Kong and is a tradition that dates back over half a century. Emily Yeung, a bank clerk, is a member of a temple performance team from Yuen Long. “I don’t live in Yuen Long, but I come to this temple to worship,” she said. This is her fourth year in this Tin Hau Festival parade. She volunteered because of her religious beliefs. “Because the movements are not very complicated, I don't need to practice for a long time every year. We only rehearsed two or three times,” she said. Spectators lined Hok Yip Road to watch the performance, and cheered from time to time. “This event is really colorful and interesting.We can even touch the dragon,”said Peter Schulz, a 57-year-old German visitor traveling with his family. “I also like the different movements of the dragons. They are very powerful,” Schulz said. “It is very colourful. I like the culture and it is very beautiful,” said Peter’s daughter, Clara Schulz. A 14-year-old lion dancer, Wu Yong-cong, has been learning the dance for two years. His lion dance teacher invited him to participate in the parade. “The festive atmosphere here really attracts me, and participating in the performance also brings me great satisfaction.” Wu said. A restaurant owner, Ms Ng, aged 80, wishes for peace and prosperity through this parade. “Although there are many visitors in Yuen Long, …