Tag Archive: japan news – beginner

Pre-reading questions: Is it important for computers to have an antivirus software? Has your computer ever been infected by virus? Tokyo police started helping companies fight against cyber attack. Cyber attack is an attempt to damage or destroy a computer network or system. They developed a program that will automatically detect possible viruses and other threats. A special cyber attacks investigation team will then analyze the gathered information. After that, those information will be uploaded in a secure server for companies to have an access. Vocabulary: detect – [verb] discover or identify automatically – [adverb] by itself with little or no direct human control crime – [noun] an illegal act…
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Pre-reading questions: Do you have more female or male co-workers? Is your boss male or female? Japanese people work long hours. Some companies want to lower overtime work. Because of this, more and more women will be hired to avoid overtime work. Women do not usually work overtime because they go home soon after work to take care of their family and kids. This will help improve the quality of work in offices. This program will also help many working men and women have more time for their family. Vocabulary: overtime [noun] – work added to normal work hours hire [verb] – pay someone to do a job avoid [verb]…
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Pre-reading questions: Do/Did both of your parents work? What does/did you mother do? Some companies in Japan  have  started giving more support to working mothers. One company started asking all fathers to take parental leave. This way, fathers can take care of their young kids and mothers can have more time to work. Some Japanese companies have started opening daycare centers for their employees’ little children. The government hopes that more support for working mothers can improve the economy. Vocabulary: support [noun] – something given to help someone working mother/father [noun] – mother/father who has a job and takes care of her/his children parental leave [noun] – time that a…
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  Pre-reading questions: Do you like visiting an onsen? Why or why not? When is the perfect time to visit an onsen? Tell me about the best onsen you know.   Furosshu is a word used in Niigata prefecture. This word means to bathe in an onsen (hot spring) where local sake (rice wine) is added. Eighteen Ryokan inns have this service. Every 26th of the month, visitors get the chance to bathe in a sake-onsen. Bathing in sake is said to be good for skin.   Vocabulary: bathe – [verb] to wash in a container filled with water inn – [noun] a house where people can eat and rent…
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  Pre-reading questions: Where is your hometown? Do you like your hometown? Why? Would you rather see mountains or buildings?   Some people want to live peacefully. They want to live in a private place. People want to benefit in slow living away from the city life. Some people say they are satisfied with their current life. Now, most retired people are moving to rural areas.   Vocabulary: private – [adjective] for the use of a single person or group city life – [noun] a life that’s experienced in the city retired – [adjective] not working anymore living away – [verb] to live away from home   True or False:…
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  Pre-reading questions: Do you love drawing? How do you show your love to your parents?   A project was started by a transportation company in Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture. Trucks have drawn pictures displayed outside by the drivers’ children. This is to give emotional support for drivers and to avoid accidents. This idea is now popular and 15 companies have joined the project. So far, there are no reported accidents with those decorated trucks.   Vocabulary: support – [verb] to give help or assistance to someone or something avoid – [verb] to stay away from emotional – [adjective] relating to emotions decorated – [adjective] provided with something to increase beauty…
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  Pre-reading questions: Do you watch TV every day? What are your favorite TV programs? What are your favorite channels?   People are expecting high for the next TV formats. 4K and 8K resolutions are expected. Companies are testing on broadcast satellite channels. New formats display clearer images. TV companies are hoping that many people will want high resolutions for TV broadcasts.   Vocabulary: resolution – [noun] the ability of the device to show an image clearly with a lot of detail satellite – [noun] a machine that is sent into space and that moves around the earth, moon, sun, or a planet HD – [noun] high definition, a television…
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  Pre-reading questions: Do you know online shopping? Have you tried online shopping?   Online shopping in Japan is becoming more famous. Different online stores are now making their service fast and more attractive to customers. They are working more as the online shopping is now in demand. The online market has doubled its worth since 5 years ago. They are also scared that the market will be pressured as the demand increases.   Vocabulary: famous – [adjective] widely known attractive – [adjective] having a pleasing appearance in demand – needed or wanted by many people pressured – [verb] to force or to try to force someone to do something…
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  Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite sports? Do you watch Olympics?   Four parties that are assigned in Olympics are now deciding its final plan about the venue for rowing and canoe competitions during Tokyo Olympics 2020. Miyagi Naganuma has the advantage since the costs of construction will be down to ¥15 billion from ¥20 billion. The location also can be a symbol of the Great East Japan Earthquake. However, Naganuma plan will split the Olympic village and sports associations are against it. Some committee say that the plan in Naganuma is not possible.   Vocabulary: competition – [noun] a contest advantage – [noun] something that helps to make…
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  Pre-reading questions: Do you like going to school? / Did you like going to school? Why should children go to school?   A number of students nowadays are not interested to go to school anymore. A lot of reasons are being considered by teachers and administrators. Some students just want to go to school once or twice a week. The principal have known a clear cause and it’s the mother who always says OK when the student doesn’t want to go. Schools said that it is difficult for them to deal with the situation.   Vocabulary: consider – [verb] to think about carefully twice – [abverb] two times difficult…
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