Asia in 3 minutes: Indian minister says no skirts, China’s ‘Jack the Ripper’ in police net

Avoid sex attacks by not wearing skirts, Indian minister tells tourists

India’s tourism minister Mahesh Sharma faced an intense backlash after suggesting female visitors to the country should not wear skirts. Sharma told reporters tourists would be given a list of ‘dos and don’ts’ upon arrival, which would include advice not to wear skirts or go out alone at night. “For their own safety, women foreign tourists should not wear short dresses and skirts,” he said. “Indian culture is different from the Western.” In the face of criticism, Sharma appeared to back-pedal, later saying: “I am the father of two daughters. I cannot put a ban on what women wear. Such a ban is unimaginable, but it is not a crime to be cautious.”

What next? Sharma already has a reputation as a politician who speaks before thinking, making him prone to gaffes. But his comments also reveal the conservative BJP’s clumsiness when it comes to violence against women – and how to address the problem without inadvertently blaming victims based on their clothing. Sharma is unlikely to be the last BJP representative to fluff his lines

New mayor says Tokyo’s storied fish market staying put, for now

The relocation of Tokyo’s world-famous Tsukiji fish market – the site of renowned tuna auctions and a beloved tourist attraction – has been postponed. The historic market seemed to be on borrowed time after the city’s government decided in 2001 it would move to the site of a former gas plant. But after a series of delays, newly-elected governor Yuriko Koike has intervened, insisting the move will not go ahead, citing concerns over soil contamination at the new site and spiralling costs. The relocation alone would cost 580 billion yen (US$5.7 billion) and construction costs have nearly tripled from the original estimate.

What next? Koike is awaiting water tests at the proposed site before making any further decisions. Should those results prompt indefinite postponement, that would also be a spanner in the works of Tokyo’s Olympics preparations, with a new road planned near the market.

Shipping giant’s collapse means turmoil for global freight industry

he collapse of South Korean shipping giant Hanjin has sent ripples though global trade, as the country’s largest port, Busan, turned away its ships and some manufacturers scrambled for freight alternatives. Hanjin, the world’s seventh biggest shipping firm, on Wednesday filed for court receivership after its banks decided to end financial support, and ports from China to Spain, the US and Canada have refused entry to Hanjin vessels in what is traditionally the industry’s busiest season.