Taiwanese election grooves to multiple rhythms

Earlier this month, Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won Taiwan's presidential election -- a poll that many considered would decide the democratic island's future relationship with China. Lai released several songs during his campaign, including "Lai and Hsiao Win Taiwan." Music features prominently in politics in the free world, and Taiwan is no different.

Unlike in China, where state control of culture and the media ensures that only views approved by the Communist Party are disseminated, songs in modern Taiwan represent a diversity of identities, political sympathies and historical legacies.

Only a few days after the election, the island lost a prominent democracy activist. Shih Ming-teh, who died of liver cancer, was a champion of Taiwan's brutal and bloody struggle for democracy and played a defining role in Asia's democratization.

Genteel Japanese art of the business dinner

Settai -- the art of entertaining business clients, often over dinner -- is a curious feature of Japanese corporate culture. But changes brought on by COVID-19 risk eliminating the social grease built into the system. "We should cherish and continue the tradition of business entertainment, which connects people in a personal way beyond the transactional drudgery of the corporate daytime," writes Nobuko Kobayashi.

Blend trend: Indo-Western fusion shines in world of fashion

Elsewhere on the Life & Arts desk, we offer you a story about a new fashion trend that is sweeping the world. The infusion of Western clothing with traditional Indian design elements, known as Indo-Western fashion, has become increasingly popular both in India and around the globe. But for women of the Indian diaspora, this fashion statement is about more than clothing. Young designers and fashion enthusiasts are blending the two styles as a way to pay homage to their South Asian roots, deriving inspiration from their culture.

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