Pre-reading questions:
- What are your thoughts on the relationship between the US and Japan?
- Do you think President Trump’s visit to Japan is important? Discuss.
Vocabulary:
- boost – to help something to increase or improve or become more successful
They want the government to take action to boost the economy. - dismay – a feeling of shock and unhappiness
Lucy discovered to her dismay that she was pregnant. - shoot down – to cause to fall by shooting
The airliner was shot down by mistake. - furthermore – also and more importantly
She always arrives on time. Furthermore, her work is always excellent.
Japan was one of the five countries that US president, Donald Trump, visited this year. During his trip to Japan, Mr. Trump encouraged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to purchase massive amounts of US-made military equipment and anti-missile systems. According to him, these billions of dollars worth of weapons and equipment will help counter North Korea’s nuclear threats. He also reassured the prime minister that it would boost Japan’s security and the US economy.
Mr. Trump also expressed his dismay when he learned that Japan decided not to shoot down the missiles fired by North Korea in Hokkaido. However, Prime Minister Abe said that they would’ve shot the missiles down if it posed a threat to Japanese citizens. Fortunately, the missiles landed harmlessly in the sea. Furthermore, it saved them from embarrassment in case the American-made missile defense systems missed.
Comprehension Questions:
- What did President Trump do when he visited Japan?
- According to Prime Minister Abe, what would’ve made Japan shoot North Korea’s missile down?
- What happened to the missiles launched by North Korea?
- Why is President Trump persuading Japan to buy military equipment from the US?
- How much do the military equipment and anti-missile systems from the US cost?
Express Your Opinion:
- Do you think American-made military equipment has the best quality? Please explain your answer.
- Do you think Japan needs billions of dollars worth of weaponry? Discuss.
- If you were the Japanese prime minister, would you consider buying military equipment from the US? Why or why not?
- Should President Trump interfere with Japan and North Korea’s issues? Please explain your answer.
- What do you think about how Japan handled North Korea’s nuclear threats?