The latest issue of Yazhou Zhoukan (Asia Weekly) has drawn public attention for using a photo-manipulated cover featuring the current head of state of the Republic of China, President Tsai Ing-wen, and Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty. This has led to a fierce exchange of fire online between the DPP spokesperson and the editors of Asia Weekly, creating quite a stir on the internet.
The editors of Asia Weekly later even stepped up by providing more modified images for the public to share and use. One blurred creative image reminded me of “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named” from Harry Potter. The editor specifically added some text as a secondary creation, changing it to “She Who Must Not Be Named.” Interested readers are welcome to use this parody work freely.
In fact, speaking of Asia Weekly’s criticism of Tsai Ing-wen as an “elected dictator,” it reminds me of another figure—also elected, and also one of the most famous dictators in modern history.
Decades ago in Europe, a legal dictatorship emerged. He loved Japan, but was later destroyed.
Now in Asia, there are signs that an elected dictatorship is brewing. She loves Japan, and the future…