News

Japanese mountaineer is named the world's oldest living person

Tomiko Itooka, a 116-year-old woman from Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, is now recognized as the world’s oldest living person following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas Morera from Spain. Validated by the Gerontology Research Group and confirmed by Guinness World Records, Tomiko has lived in a nursing home since 2019, after residing with her daughters until the age of 110. 

About Tomiko: Born on May 23, 1908, Tomiko is the second of three siblings. She was an active volleyball player in school and married at 20, having four children and now numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During World War II, she managed her husband's textile factory and later lived alone in Nara Prefecture after his death. Tomiko is the 24th-oldest person in recorded history and has been Japan’s oldest living person since December 2023. 

The mountaineer: Tomiko is known for her adventurous spirit, having climbed Japan's 10,062-feet Mt. Ontake twice in her 70s, even wearing sneakers instead of hiking boots. In her 80s, she completed the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage twice, and at 100, she impressively scaled the steps of Ashiya Shrine without a cane. Her family attributes her longevity to her love of hiking. Despite her age, she remains communicative, enjoys bananas and drinks Calpis daily.

News

High-income Asian American families pay higher taxes than white counterparts

Asian American households remain significantly understudied in tax policy research, according to the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. New data reveals that these households pay higher average tax rates than white households due to differences in income sources, highlighting the need for more nuanced research and policy considerations.

Income and tax rate disparities: Asian American households, particularly those in the top 20% of the income distribution, face higher average tax rates than their white counterparts, as per the TPC. This disparity reportedly arises as Asian American households earn a larger portion of their income from fully-taxed labor earnings, whereas white households are more likely to benefit from tax-favored income sources such as capital gains, business income and imputed rent on owner-occupied housing. The progressive nature of the federal income tax system means that these differences in income composition lead to higher tax burdens for wealthier Asian Americans.

Diverse economic experiences and stereotype challenges: The economic experiences of Asian Americans are far from monolithic. While a significant portion of these households are in the top 20% of earners, a substantial number also fall into the lower 20% to 40% of the income distribution, challenging the “model minority” stereotype. Additionally, factors such as higher labor force participation among Asian American women, a younger age distribution, lower rates of homeownership and unique family structures further complicate the group’s economic landscape. The higher occurrence of marriage penalties and the lower likelihood of receiving tax credits — such as the earned income tax credit (EITC) and child tax credit (CTC) — among low-income Asian American households indicate systemic challenges that need to be addressed.

Crime

Burglars use digital surveillance to target Asian American homes

Burglars are reportedly using surveillance technology to target the homes of Asian American business owners in Shelton, Connecticut. Such a scheme mirrors a nationwide trend of suspects targeting the same demographic and tracking their whereabouts via sophisticated means.

What authorities are saying: One incident in July saw cash, jewelry and purses stolen from the home of a local restaurant owner in the Huntington area. So far, investigation shows that the home was targeted, with perpetrators focusing on victims who run cash businesses. “If they find a business owner, they’ll start following this business owner and see what their daily routines are,” Tim Silva, Fusion Center manager for the Connecticut Intelligence Center, which analyzes and shares criminal information with other states, told WTNH. “They’re going so far as digital surveillance.” A 42-year-old man, identified as Jun Keng Zhang of New York, was arrested in connection with the Shelton case in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The stolen items were recovered.

The big picture: Asian American business owners have increasingly been targets of burglaries in recent years. Two homes were also recently targeted in Abington, Pennsylvania. “Abington detectives have determined that both of these homes were specifically targeted because the residents are Asian American and own or operate a business in the area,” police said. "This is a particularly disturbing, and nation-wide crime trend where organized groups of thieves are targeting the homes of Asian American business owners due to the stereotype that Asian business owners have items of high value in their homes.”

News

“Reverse migration” is up in South Korea

South Korea is seeing a trend of “reverse migration” as citizens who once sought opportunities overseas increasingly return to their homeland. These migrants are reportedly coming back after a shift in perceptions driven by factors such as high costs of living, safety concerns and desire for better healthcare and infrastructure.

By the numbers: Koreans resettling in South Korea after obtaining long-stay visas or permanent residency abroad has steadily increased in recent years, with the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) recording 1,478 in 2019 to 1,742 in 2023. Aside from lifestyle and safety concerns, economic incentives are also a key consideration, with better medical services and the possibility of receiving basic pensions making South Korea an attractive option for retirees. 

What people are saying: Videos of returnees sharing their experiences have recently gone viral on local social media. YouTuber Captain Seung, who lived in Kansas for 10 years, shared (per The Korea Times), “There are four things that I love about living in Korea. It's cheaper to eat out compared to the U.S. It's safer. Korea has a lot of (security cameras) on all streets, block by block. The speedy delivery system and delivery culture make life so convenient.” Meanwhile, Hyuncouple, another YouTuber, whose family moved back from Canada, described the “reality” of immigrant life as “pretty rough.”

Entertainment

“Black Myth: Wukong” release hit by censorship controversy

China’s first AAA video game "Black Myth: Wukong" has become embroiled in controversy over alleged topic censorship for livestreamers just days after its explosive debut on Tuesday. On Saturday, French video game streamer Benoit Reinier, known online as Ex Serv, shared a purported document he received from Hero Games, the marketing team behind "Black Myth: Wukong," which allegedly contained a guideline on topics he must avoid when discussing the game in his livestream.

What happened: Reinier told the New York Times that Hero Games emailed him about three weeks ago, offering a free virtual key for “Black Myth: Wukong,” which he accepted. Along with the key, Hero Games sent him a guideline instructing him not to include “politics,” “feminist propaganda” or “other content that instigates negative discourse,” and advised him to avoid “trigger words” like “COVID-19,” “quarantine” and “isolation” in his video. The document noted, “By using the game key and creating content, you acknowledge that you have been informed of the following content, and your statements are not related to the marketing team.” At least two livestreamers have reportedly received the same guideline.

The aftermath: While the guideline had no legal repercussions for the livestreamers, Reinier chose not to feature “Black Myth: Wukong” on his channel. “I have never seen anything that shameful in my 15 years doing this job. This is very clearly a document which explains that we must censor ourselves,” Reinier said in his video. Despite the controversy, “Black Myth: Wukong” still had a successful launch on multiple online distribution platforms for PC, including Steam, where it is available for $59.99 and was played by around 2.2 million people concurrently at its peak on Wednesday.

Final Bites

Harris-Walz team unveils 2 new ads aimed at Asian American voters: The Harris-Walz campaign has launched two new ads, "Reduced" and "The Seal," aimed at Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) voters in critical battleground states such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. These ads will be aired on television, digital platforms and AANHPI-specific media outlets. “Reduced” features Rozita, who highlights the dangers posed by Donald Trump’s calls to “terminate” healthcare protections under the Affordable Care Act, which have helped reduce the AANHPI uninsured rate by 63%. In “The Seal,” Terry contrasts Vice President Kamala Harris’ dedication to fighting for AANHPI communities with Trump’s incitement of anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. “These new ads remind Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voters that the choice in this election is clear for our communities,” campaign spokesperson Andrew Peng said.

Vietnam recognizes Hanoi’s pho as national cultural heritage: Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism officially recognized Hanoi-style pho — along with Nam-Dinh-style pho and Quang-style noodle soup — as part of the country’s national intangible cultural heritage on Aug. 9. Hanoi-style pho, a beloved noodle dish served with beef or chicken, is known globally for its rich broth and traditional preparation methods, often kept as family secrets passed down through generations. Nam-Dinh-style pho, with its distinctive ingredients and preparation, is a pride of Nam Dinh province — the birthplace of pho — with many shops expanding to major cities. Quang-style noodle soup, a staple in Quang Nam province, remains a vital cultural tradition despite modern challenges threatening its preservation. The recognition aims to protect and promote these culinary treasures, ensuring their continued legacy.

Greta Lee strips down for Calvin Klein’s Fall 2024 campaign: Greta Lee is starring in Calvin Klein's Fall 2024 campaign. Photographed by long-time collaborator Mert Alas, the campaign – inspired by the "electric energy of fall in the city" – features the 41-year-old "Past Lives" actor going about her day and dancing to The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat” in a video while wearing Calvin Klein underwear. "Being a part of this campaign means a lot to me because I was able to truly show up as myself and lean into a side of myself that I've never shown before," Lee said. The campaign launched globally on Tuesday.

Walmart sells all of its JD.com shares: Walmart ended its eight-year investment in Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com by selling its entire stake. The U.S. retailer confirmed the news in its securities filing on Tuesday but did not disclose details such as the number of shares it sold or the amount it raised from the sale. A person reportedly familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday that the sale could be worth approximately $3.74 billion. “This decision allows us to focus on our strong China operations for Walmart China and Sam's Club, and deploy capital towards other priorities,” Walmart, which owned a 9.4% share at the end of March, said in a statement.

“Jackpot” director credits Jackie Chan: "Jackpot" director Paul Feig revealed that his film was inspired by legendary Hong Kong actor and martial artist Jackie Chan. Speaking to Reuters, Feig described Chan’s characters in his movies — like “Rush Hour” and “Rob-B-Hood” — as “classically somebody who didn't want to be in the situation, in over their head, trying to get out of it, not being aggressive, just trying to fight their way out of something.”  Released on Prime Video on Aug. 16, "Jackpot" is an action comedy starring Awkwafina, Simu Liu and John Cena.

7 “suns” stun onlookers in China: Videos showing seven “suns” shining above the skies of Chengdu in China’s Sichuan province have gone viral on social media. The breathtaking view, which was captured on Monday, is an optical illusion likely resulting from the refraction and dispersion of light. The videos have since made their way to X, with users sharing theories, jokes or simply their amazement at such a rare sighting. “Awwwww Mr. Sun has a family!” one wrote.

Special Event

A day in the park celebrating all things AAPI art, books and culture? Sounds like the perfect summer day to us. Join NextShark and our friends at The Korea Times, and LA County and LA County Parks and Recreation this Saturday for an epic summer event bridging the gap between generations, language barriers and cultural differences.