Tag Archive: japan news – beginner

Heisei era gives new meaning of ‘Japanese’

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like to learn about the culture of other countries? Do you like to meet foreign people? Vocabulary: labor /LEY-bor/ [noun] practical work that involves physical effort He can still do physical labor even though he is old. member /MEM-ber/ [noun] a person, animal, or thing that is part of a group She is a member of a very strong volleyball team. system /SIS-tuhm/ [noun] a way of doing things; a method A successful country usually has a good government system. accept /ak-SEPT/ [verb] to agree to take something She accepts the fact that he is gone. multiracial /muhl-tee-REY-shuhl/ [adjective] involving people of several different races I…
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Japan redefines hospitality by investing in service industry

Japan redefines hospitality by investing in service industry

Pre-reading questions: What is the name of your favorite place? Do you like to invite other people to your house? Vocabulary: hospitality /hos-pi-tal-i-tee/ [noun] kindness and friendly behavior, esp. to guests Her family is known because of their hospitality. invest /in-vest/ [verb] to put money or effort into something to make a profit or achieve a result Maki’s parents invest their savings to their family business. automatic /aw-tuh-mat-ik/ [adjective] able to operate independently without human control Automatic technologies are expensive. selfless /self-lis/ [adjective] caring more about other people’s needs and interests than about your own The selfless mother gives her food to her children. maintain /meyn-teyn/ [verb] to continue to…
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Japan’s celebration for the new emperor

Japan's celebration for the new emperor

Pre-reading questions: Do you like celebrations? What events do you like to attend? Vocabulary: emperor /EM-per-er/ [noun] a male ruler He said he wanted to be the emperor of China someday. retire /re-TAHYUHR/ [verb] to leave your job or position and stop working I don’t have any plans to retire yet. well-known /WEL-nohn/ [adjective] popular or recognized by people She was introduced to me as a well-known author. role /rohl/ [noun] a position that something or someone has in a situation, organization, etc. My friend’s role in the wedding is very important. adviser /ad-VAHY-zer/ [noun] someone who gives advice about something My adviser told me not to spend too much…
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Japan offers vacant houses for free

Vocabulary Guide unusual 珍しい /uhn-YOO-zhoo-uhl/ [adjective: 形容詞] – different and not ordinary in an interesting way vacant 空いている /VEY-kuhnt/ [adjective: 形容詞] – available because it is not being used expect 予測する /ik-SPEKT/ [verb: 動詞] – to think or believe that something will happen Vocabulary Check Fill in the blanks with the correct words. Choose the correct answer in the box. expect leave unusual vacant It is very ___________ to keep insects as pets. There is a ___________ seat beside me. The teacher did not ___________ the student’s perfect score. Article Reading Read the passage and take note of the highlighted words in the Vocabulary Guide. Japan is having an unusual…
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First woman to qualify as a fighter jet pilot in Japan

Fighter jet woman Japan

Pre-reading questions: When was your first flight? Do you want to become a pilot? Vocabulary: fighter /FAYH-ter/ [noun] a small fast military aircraft used for chasing and destroying enemy aircraft She is the first female fighter jet pilot. dream /dreem/ [noun] an event or condition that you hope for very much My dream is to become a millionaire. trainer /TREY-ner/ [noun] a person who teaches skills to people or animals My trainer is very skilled in gymnastics. challenge /CHAL-inj/ [noun] something that needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully I need to go through some challenges to become successful. double /DUHB-uhl/ [verb] to become twice…
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“Hiroshima – The Last Rose of Summer” to air in 2020

Hiroshima

Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite animated movie? Do you like history? Why or why not? Vocabulary: animated /AN-uh-mey-tid/ [adjective] a type of film where drawings move The animated movie I watched yesterday was beautiful. anniversary /an-uh-VUR-suh-ree/ [noun] a day when an important event happened a year before Today is our school’s 3rd anniversary. bombing /BOM-ing/ [noun] an attack on a place using bombs The bombing at Mary’s town stopped an hour ago. late /leyt/ [adjective] died not long ago She visited her late grandmother last Sunday. professor /pruh-FES-er/ [noun] a teacher My science professor is very kind. The staff of the animated film “Hiroshima – The Last Rose of…
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Saitama begins homestay project for Tokyo 2020

Saitama begins homestay project for Tokyo 2020

Pre-reading questions: Have you had a homestay experience before? Please explain your answer. Do you like sports? Why or why not? Vocabulary: give /giv/ [verb] to provide someone with something Jeffry will give money to the charity. meal /meel/ [noun] an occasion when food is eaten Camelle’s mom always prepares her meals. guest /gest/ [noun] a person who is staying with you or a person whom you have invited to a social occasion They will invite guests for their daughter’s birthday party. stay /stey/ [verb] to not move away from or leave a place or situation Bea will stay in her company for two years. interested /IN-ter-uh-stid/ [adjective] wanting to…
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Princess Ayako to marry Kei Moriya

Princess Ayako to marry Kei Moriya

Pre-reading questions: When do people get married in your country? Why do you think people marry? Vocabulary: board member /bawrd MEM-ber/ [noun] a member of the board of directors Mr. Hawkins resigned as a board member last month. organization /awr-guh-nuh-ZEY-shuhn/ [noun] an official group of people who work together for the same purpose The article was about the international aid organizations. global /GLOH-buhl/ [adjective] relating to the whole world In this article, we will describe a few of the global trends. welfare /WEL-fair/ [noun] physical and mental health and happiness of a person The police are very concerned for the welfare of the missing child. shrine /shrahyn/ [noun] a place…
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Scent check: Japan’s new smell checking device

Scent check Japan's new smell checking device

Photo from © Tanita Pre-Reading Questions: Do you use perfume? Why or why not? What is your favorite scent? Vocabulary: release /ri-LEES/ [verb] to make something public or available for use The store released a new flavor of milk tea. gadget /GAJ-it/ [noun] a piece of equipment that is used for a particular purpose The XBOX is a popular gadget for gamers. scent /sent/ [noun] a good or nice smell The flowers have a sweet scent. user /YOO-zer/ [noun] someone who uses an item, product or thing There are many internet users around the world. check /chek/ [verb] to know or find out about something The dentist checked my teeth….
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Hello Kitty to cover Western Japan’s bullet trains

Hello Kitty to cover Western Japans Bullet Train

Pre-reading questions: Do you know any cartoon characters? Please explain your answer. Are cartoon characters still popular? Why or why not? Vocabulary: railway /REYL-wey/ [noun] the metal tracks on which trains run There isn’t any railway service on Sundays. feature /FEE-cher/ [verb] to include something as an important part The movie features James Dean as a rebellious teenager. theme /theem/ [noun] the subject of a talk, book, film, etc. The theme of loss runs through most of his novels. promote /pruh-MOHT/ [verb] to encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or support something Martha Stewart promotes her products successfully. attraction /uh-TRAK-shuh n/ [noun] something that makes people want to go to…
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