Vocabulary:
- adamant – determined not to change someone’s belief or decision about something
They are adamant about buying organic food only. - chagrin – a feeling of being very disappointed, annoyed or embarrassed
She didn’t do the task that was assigned to her, much to her manager’s chagrin. - deter – to prevent the occurrence of something
Arrests and jail sentences have done nothing to deter the protesters. - deflect – to cause something to change direction, or to suddenly go in a different direction
The goalie deflected the ball with his hands. - warhead – the front part of a bomb or missile that explodes
With its warhead replaced by a Mercury capsule, the rocket had an alarming tendency to fail during flight.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Donald Trump met again in November. Mr. Trump visited five Asian countries, including Japan to introduce a new kind of trade relationship. He urged the Japanese prime minister to purchase more American-made military equipment to combat North Korea’s nuclear threats. Mr. Trump adamantly assured Prime Minister Abe that buying these equipment would boost Japan’s security. He also mentioned that it would generate more jobs for Americans; thus, helping the growth of the US economy.
Much to Mr. Trump’s chagrin, Japan decided not to deter North Korea’s missile tests in August and September. Prime Minister Abe didn’t see the need to deflect North Korea’s missile launches because it didn’t pose a threat on his citizens’ safety. According to Japan’s law, the prime minister cannot administer a nuclear interception because he needs the approval of the Japanese Parliament to do so. It is also illegal to intercept North Korea’s missile launches because they have only conducted missile tests. Intercepting missile launches by North Korea will only be legal if those missiles were armed with live warheads.
True or False:
- President Trump firmly assured Mr. Kim that buying military equipment will boost North Korea’s security.
- Mr. Trump was disappointed with Prime Minister Abe’s decision to intercept North Korea’s missiles.
- It is illegal to intercept North Korea’s missile tests.
- The prime minister doesn’t need to seek the Japanese Parliament’s approval on nuclear interceptions.
- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will only deflect missiles if they threaten the Japanese citizens’ safety.
Express your opinion:
- Do you think the US has a strong influence on Asian countries? Discuss.
- Aside from buying weaponry from the US, how do you think can President Trump encourage Asian countries to invest in the US?
- What do you think are the biggest and most productive industries of the US?
- What are the biggest and most productive industries of Japan?
Defend your argument:
- “So long as nuclear weapons continue to exist, so will the temptation to threaten others with overwhelming military force.” – Daisaku Ikeda
- “A world without nuclear weapons would be less stable and more dangerous for all of us.” – Margaret Thatcher
- “A world free of nuclear weapons will be safer and more prosperous.” – Ban Ki Moon