Tom P.

China’s complex social credit system evolves with 23 new guidelines from Beijing Guidelines also establish ‘seriously discredited entities’ list for specific sectors – and those on the list could face restrictions or bans on issuing stocks and bonds.

the article also conveys an strong orientalist point of view, portraying China as a country where everything is controlled, even its citizens.

Link to the article: www.scmp.com/economy/arti...

#China#SocialCredit#Surveillance#Orientalism

The stress on mass surveillance when talking about a system that is misundertood once more reinforce the traditional narrative. The picture used in the article also reinforce techno orientalism and, once again, the idea of a dystopian society. In the end, while being somewhat accurate,

What's more, the 23 new laws cited in the title are poorly talked about in the article and are mainly an excuse to write about this supposed social credit system. The framing of the article also prejudices the readers' perspective and understanding of the topic.

As a result, many Chinese are even unaware of such a system, even in cities where it is being experimented.
Therefore, using the catch-all term "social credit system" as a title to refer to laws that resemble some of the laws we have in the West is purely orientalist.

the PPC ruled unlawfull any punishment due to low score. In the end, the idea is more about rewarding good behaviour than spying on citizens and deprive bad individuals from their rights as some may claim. One more thing to note is that the participation in these systems is completely voluntary.

In fact, such a system has never been implemented nationwide. Even thought the CCP planned to create a similar system in 2014 to be applied in 2020, is has never seen the light of the day. Althought, some local authorities and provinces experimented a similar "social credit system",

These "23 new guidelines" are supposedly adding up to "China’s complex social credit system" to make it "more comprehensive". This misleading title and information are reinforcing traditional points of view where China is a country of mass surveillance, and a repressive and opaque regime.

Social Credit System in China

In the West, narratives towards China and its supposed control over its population are prevalent. One topic that often comes up to the conversation is the social credit system. This article from the South China Morning Post details new laws passed by the CCP.

YouTube video by 삐야 Beyond Beauty : Pale skin, Lookism & Orientalism in Korean culture

If you want to dive deeper into the topic (especially beauty standards in SK), here is a good presentation from our peers at PNU: youtu.be/g9GTGDDGnvo?...

#SouthKorea#Lookism#PlasticSurgery

Ranging from dirt spoon (low-income) to golden spoon (wealthy), this shows how people's income is paramount in social settings. Therefore lookism is not only about looking good for the sake of it, but rather try to fit in the society and promote oneself in a mega-competitive society.

Lookism is only one of the way social pressure is expressed in Korea. Competitivity is high and materialism is prevalent: the "spoon theory" is a good exemple of that. In Korea, it is used to describe people and associate individuals to a class or category based on revenue.

as opposed to lower classes who would work in the fields. Even though this kind of system has almost disappeared today, its legacy persists and media (espcecially social media) are helping spread that narrative as part as broader issue in Korea: social pressure.

With Seoul being given the nickname of the "plastic capital of the world", this phenomena is far from fading. Beauty standards such as pale and smooth skin are deeply rooted cultural norms reffering to the old class system where the rich were whiter,

Lookism & social pressure in South Korea

Lookism can be defined as prejudice or discrimination based on physical appearance and social beauty standards, and in Korea, lookism is a big deal. Indeed, through pressure of reaching perfection, South Korea became n°1 in terms of cosmetic surgery rate.

Finally, impacts on droughts and wildfires as seen with the Iwate fires back in March of 2025 are proving the need for a better handling of the climate crisis in Japan as well as globally.

#Japan#ClimateChange#Environment

As the part of Japanese elderly leaving alone is just below 20% and is projected to grow even bigger with time, and as the extreme temperature are becoming more and more intense and common, we can allegedly fear an increase in extreme emergency cases linked to rising temperatures.

It is important to note that 60% of these patients are seniors (65+) as they are more sensitive to factors such as chronic diseases and weaker body response. However, as we already know, elderly in Japan are facing loneliness issues and margenalization in the society.

Indeed, in the last few years, emergency transportation to hospitals linked to heatwaves (due to dehydration, exhaustion, age and other chronic diseases worsened by extreme heat) almost reached 100,000 cases, 120 of which involved the death of the individual.

Natiowide, the country reached a CSI level 3, synonym of a very stong climate change influence over temperatures. These heatwaves and global rising temperatures are a real health issue in Japan.

Last October, the city of Kusatsu recorded temperatures up to 32°C, which was 7.3°C above normal, reaching a CSI (Climate Shift Index) level 5, implying that human-induced climate change made these exceptional temperatures 5 times more likely to happen.

Environmental Issues in Japan

One of the biggest environmental issue being currently tackle in the media in Japan is undoutedly the rising tempreature in the country. Unprecedented temperature records and heatwaves have been impacting the country these last few years.

Japan's teen hermits spread fear Film lifts the lid on the hell of child recluses.

Here is the link to the article:
www.theguardian.com/world/2002/n...

#Japan#Hikikomori#media

The blame is totally put on them, as a one of the people interviewed says: 'I think it is dangerous for Japanese society because such people never work or pay tax'.

While briefly tackled, the social roots (like school or professional pressure, traumas, intern family problems, etc...) are left aside, overshadowed by this fear of dangerous individuals.

This comparison and framing of violence play on the fear of danger and emphasizes negative narratives and them often being referred to as mentally ill (which is also done is this article), and further reinforces their marginalization.

For exemple, in this article from the Guardian, they are compared to murders through their representation in a movie where a Hikikomori is violent and eventually kills his family.

Hikikomori are often marginalized as they are, by definition, excluded (volontarily) from the society. This brings a lot of misconception and negative social representations about them.

Hikikomori in Japan

Hikikomori are individuals living secluded from the society, avoiding social interactions at all costs and represent extreme case of isolation (to the point that some don't even see/talk to their parents while some still live with them).

Gifu town mayor resigns amid sexual harassment allegations Hideo Kojima, 74, a former town assembly member, was first elected mayor in November 2020 and was serving his first term.

Here is the link to the article on Hideo Kojima from The Japan Times: www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/02...

#Japan#SexualHarassment#MeToo#GisèlePélicot

To conclude, the way the issue is tackled in the media is a key factor, and allowing for both parts to testify is essential for a fair representation. Deeper analysis and exploring the different reasons for such cases to happen are paramount to raise concern and adress the issue in our society.