Photo by © KYODO via
The Japan Times
Pre-reading questions:
- Do you think dogs are the best pet? Please explain your answer.
- Do you have any pets? Why or why not?
Vocabulary:
- in charge /in chahrj/
[idiom] responsible for something or someone
He is in charge of doing the laundry.
- ceremony /SER-uh-moh-nee/
[verb] a formal occasion especially to recognize an important event
Their wedding ceremony will take place on March 25th this year.
- partner /PAHRT-ner/
[noun] the person you are married to or living with as if married to them
His partner will give birth next month.
- representative /rep-ri-ZEN-tuh-tiv/
[noun] a person who represents another person or a group
a person who represents another person or a group
- promote /pruh-MOHT/
[verb] to advertise something in order to sell it
They are doing their best to promote reusable bags.
Wasao, an Akita, became the stationmaster of Ajigasawa Station on Ajigasawa Aomori’s JR Gono Line. He is in charge of advertising the city’s tourism from this year to March 2020. A ceremony to issue the letter of appointment was held on April 6, 2019 with the presence of Ajigasawa Mayor Mamoru Hirata.
Wasao became famous after he starred in his own film that has almost the same plot as Hachikō. His partner Tsubaki, the deputy station master, and his daughter Chome, the head of the sales section, will be joining him. They are known as the Wasao family. The representative of the railway stated that the Wasao family makes everyone smile and the officials wanted them to do their best to promote tourism. According to the city’s tourism association, around 120,000 people visit the city each year and Wasao would be a great help to welcome them.
Comprehension Questions:
- Who became the stationmaster of Ajigasawa Station on Ajigasawa Aomori’s JR Gono Line?
- What was held on April 6, 2019?
- How did Wasao become famous?
- Who is Wasao’s partner?
- According to the article, how many people visit Ajigasawa Aomori every year?
Discussion Questions:
- What is your opinion on assigning Wasao as the new stationmaster of Ajigasawa Station?
- Do you think it is a good idea to have a dog? Why or why not?
- In your opinion, do you think dogs can work with humans? Explain your answer.
- Do you think dogs can rescue a person who is in need? Why or why not?
- In your opinion, how can pets help people emotionally? Explain your answer.
※レッスン教材に関するアンケートのお願い
[idiom] responsible for something or someone
He is in charge of doing the laundry.
[verb] a formal occasion especially to recognize an important event
Their wedding ceremony will take place on March 25th this year.
[noun] the person you are married to or living with as if married to them
His partner will give birth next month.
[noun] a person who represents another person or a group
a person who represents another person or a group
[verb] to advertise something in order to sell it
They are doing their best to promote reusable bags.
Wasao became famous after he starred in his own film that has almost the same plot as Hachikō. His partner Tsubaki, the deputy station master, and his daughter Chome, the head of the sales section, will be joining him. They are known as the Wasao family. The representative of the railway stated that the Wasao family makes everyone smile and the officials wanted them to do their best to promote tourism. According to the city’s tourism association, around 120,000 people visit the city each year and Wasao would be a great help to welcome them.