Tag Archive: Japan News – Intermediate

Cherry blossoms attract more foreign tourists

cherry blossom

Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite season and why? Where do you usually watch cherry blossoms bloom? Vocabulary: cherished /CHER-ishd/ [adjective] bringing the pleasure of love or caring about someone or something that is important to you The love letters in the old box are her most cherished possessions. attract /uh-TRAKT/ [verb] to pull or draw someone or something towards them, by the qualities they have, especially good ones The idols’ concerts attract a lot of female fans and audiences. management /MAN-ij-muhnt/ [noun] the group of people who control a company or organization The mall’s management allows its customers to bring their pets inside the stores. feature /FEE-cher/ [verb] to…
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Japanese company produces high-tech wheelchairs

wheelchairs

Photo by © AFP via The Straits Times Pre-reading questions: Do you like sports? Why or why not? Are you interested to watch a Paralympic game? Why or Why not? Vocabulary: create /kree-EYT/ [verb] to make something new I have created a recipe that you will surely like. achieve /UH-cheev/ [verb] to succeed in finishing something or reaching an aim A lot of my friends achieved a degree in Computer science. leading /LEE-ding/ [adjective] first or most important Uniliver is still the leading brand in the Philippines. perfectly /PUR-fikt-lee/ [adverb] in a satisfying or entirely no mistakes way My sister’s room was perfectly organized. unknown /uhn-NOHN/ [adjective] not familiar Some…
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Nagano attempts to keep traditional insect dishes

nagano

Photo by © Kyodo via The Japan Times Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite food? Why? What unusual food do you want to eat? Why? Vocabulary: order /AWR-der/ [noun] with the aim of achieving something She studies every night in order to pass the entrance examination. tradition /truh-DISH-uhn/ [noun] cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions The art exhibit we attended yesterday reminded me how important our tradition is. preserve /pri-ZURV/ [verb] to keep something from decaying, destroyed or dying I truly believe that we should preserve our natural resources. culture /KUHL-cher/ [noun] the way of life of a particular group of people at a particular time She was…
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A box of delight: Shiba Inu marshmallows

shiba inu

Photo by © Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 via Japan Today Pre-Reading Questions: What is your favorite snack? Please tell me more. Do you like eating desserts? Why or why not? Vocabulary: complement /kom-pluh-mehnt/ [verb] to make something else better when combining it with another Her red scarf complements her outfit. identical /ahy-den-ti-kuhl/ [adjective] exactly the same, or very similar William’s coat looks identical to mine. mixture /miks-cher/ [noun] a combination of different things The mixture of drinks made my brother ill. goods /guds/ [noun] items for sale The new shop sells goods at cheap prices. contain /kuhn-teyn/ [verb] to have something inside The victim’s suitcase contains only his clothes and wallet….
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Survey shows Japanese youth spend three hours online each day

online

Pre-reading questions: Do you use the Internet for fun or learning? Explain your answer. How often do you use the internet? Vocabulary: study /stuhd-ee/ [noun] the activity of examining a subject in detail to discover new information The previous study showed how people choose to spend their free time. spend /spend/ [verb] to use time doing something or being somewhere She spent a lot of time finishing her homework. search /surch/ [verb] to look for information on the internet Searching the internet helps students do their homework. government /guhv-ern-muhnt/ [noun] the group of people who officially control a country The government is planning to help the needy. data /dey-tuh/ [noun]…
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Rising tennis star Naomi Osaka bags more sponsors

naomii

Photo by © The Mainichi via The Mainichi Business Pre-reading questions: What is the most interesting sport for you? Please explain your answer. What is your opinion about extreme sports? Vocabulary: compete /kuhm-peet/ [verb] to do an activity with others and try to do better than they do Rina competes with Pete in an essay writing activity. ambassador /am-BAS-uh-DAWR/ [noun] a person who represents, speaks or advertises a particular organization, group of people, activity, or brand The new Ambassador to the United States was appointed by the President. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun] a strong effect or influence on a situation or person The new advertisement has made quite an impact on…
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Japanese hospitals to use translation services

doctor

Pre-reading questions: Have you been abroad? How was your stay? When do you usually visit a hospital? Vocabulary: nationwide /ney-shuh n-wahyd/ [adverb] existing or happening in all parts of a particular country By the end of the month, the new products will be available nationwide. upcoming /uhp-kuhm-ing/ [adjective] happening soon Please check the calendar for the upcoming shows and events. determine /dih-tur-min/ [verb] to find out or make certain facts or information The students will determine their school festival activities. outpatient /out-pey-shuh nt/ [noun] a person who receives medical care from a hospital but who does not stay in the hospital for one or more nights The hospital must keep enough doctors…
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Sumo grand champion Kisenosato retires

sumocry

Photo by © Nikkan Sports via The Japan Times Sports Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite sport and why? What kind of sports would you like to try in the future and why? Vocabulary: retire /ri-tahyuhr/ [verb] to stop taking part in a race or competition because of illness or injury Mr. Park decides to retire from archery because of his poor eyesight. tournament /toor-nuh-muhnt/ [noun] a competition involving many competitors in a single sport or game The father is very proud that his son is winning the tennis tournament. professional /pruh-fesh-uh-nl/ [adjective] having the type of job that is respected because it involves a high level of education and…
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How much money do foreign visitors spend in Japan?

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like traveling? Why or why not? Do you like to spend your money on traveling? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: fortune /fawr-chuhn/ [noun] the set of good or bad events that happen to you and have an effect on your life She had a good fortune in Canada. growth /grohth/ [noun] the process of developing or of increasing in size There is a rapid growth in the company’s sales. explore /ik-splawr/ [verb] to travel to a new place to learn about it or become familiar with it I want to explore the world alone. lead /leed/ [noun] a winning position during a race or other situation…
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Heisei era gives new meaning of ‘Japanese’

Pre-Reading Questions: What do you like about your culture? Why? What do you think is special about your country? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: term /turm/ [noun] a word used in relation to a particular subject Studious is a term used for people who love studying. descent /dih-SENT/ [noun] the origin of people in your family background My neighbor is of American-Irish descent. survey /SUR-vey/ [noun] the information gathered by asking people the same questions The survey shows that many businessmen skip their meal. political /puh-LIT-i-kuhl/ [adjective] relating to politics and government Education is one of the major political issues these days. aspect /AS-pekt/ [noun] a particular feature of our…
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