Tag: Japan

What you should know about the Battle of Beaufort

by Patricia Hului -

The Borneo campaign of 1945 was the last major Allied campaign in the South West Pacific Area during World War II (WWII) to liberate Japanese-held Borneo. One of the combats that took place during the campaign was Battle of Beaufort in 1945.   Located about 90 kilometers south of Kota Kinabalu, the

What to know about Asian fox spirits; huli jing, kumiho and kitsune

by Patricia Hului -

Asian fox spirit is often depicted as having nine tails. Credits: Pixabay Different cultures have their own versions of almost the same mythical creature, which is almost always inspired by the same animal. Take the fox, for example. Although there are some variations in their depictions, the fox often appears in

The forgotten All Saints Chapel of Sandakan POW Camp

by Patricia Hului -

The ruins of huts in the prisoner of war camp, Sandakan, North Borneo, October 1945. Those who were too ill for the march were eventually murdered here. Credits: Public Domain (Copyright expired) Courtesy Australian War Memorial: 120457 Do you know there was an Anglican chapel at Sandakan prisoners of war

John Skinner, the last man executed at Sandakan POW Camp

by Patricia Hului -

“In the Sandakan prisoners’ compound, Warrant Officer Hisao Murozumi had his sword raised. It would be the last atrocity in this camp in this backwater of war. Terrible things happen in battle. In the heat and smoke of it, morality enters a strange world. Killing is survival. What Murozumi was

Japanese immigrants in North Borneo before World War II

by Patricia Hului -

Somewhere near the Tanjung Batu Street of Tawau, Sabah there is an old cemetery site. There, Japanese people were laid to rest. One might assume that they died during World War II (WWII) when Sabah was under Japanese occupation. However, a vast majority of them died way before the Second World War. Who

Top destinations Asia Pacific travelers will visit in 2020

by KajoMag -

A recent study by Hilton Honors that surveyed 2,300 of the most avid travelers in Asia Pacific revealed a handful of top destinations these jetsetters are most looking forward to visiting in the next 12 months. The study also revealed that elevated experiences, local culture and authenticity play an important

10 kawaii Japanese bento recipes from Ochikeron you can try

by Patricia Hului -

Tokyo-based YouTube user Ochikeron has been sharing easy-to-follow Japanese home cooking on her channel since 2011. If you are not familiar with her, she was the one who created the three-ingredient cheesecake using eggs, white chocolate and cream cheese. Additionally, Ochikeron created a five-ingredient chocolate lave cake out of chocolate, butter,

How the story of SS Vyner Brooke will break your heart

by Patricia Hului -

SS Vyner Brooke started her service as the royal yacht of Sarawak. The Scottish-built steamship also worked as a merchant ship used between Singapore and Kuching. However at the beginning of World War II, this ship owned by Sarawak Steamship Co Ltd, had a tragic ending. Here are 5 things