Learn Japanese from the News

Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about people in Japan donating 4 billion yen (as of March 7) to Ukraine through its embassy in Tokyo. Our resident Japanese teacher explains the word "kifu" (donation) and breaks down how to count large numbers such as "man" (10,000) and "oku" (100 million). We also spotlight growing private-sector efforts to provide support to Ukraine, as well as middle school students folding "orizuru" paper cranes, a symbol of peace.

Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about the reopening of a popular nature trail in the Owakudani area of Hakone, a mountainous resort town with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. Owakudani is a volcanic valley known for its hot springs and close-up views of Mt. Hakone's billowing steam vents. The nature trail in question had been closed to tourists since 2015 due to increased volcanic activity.

Plastic pollution in the ocean has become a global environmental concern. Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about a new plastic developed by researchers at the University of Tokyo that is embedded with enzymes that cause it to naturally break down in water. We also consider the katakana loanword "purasuchikku" (plastic) and learn some related katakana words that are commonly used in everyday life.

Internet piracy has become a major global issue. Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about copyright-protection groups and government agencies from 13 nations coming together to create an international organization to fight manga and anime piracy on the internet. We study words like "kaizokuban" (pirated version) and "chosakuken" (copyright) and consider copyright infringement pitfalls in the digital age.

An American scientific agency used AI to study Japanese precipitation data and found that the rising frequency of abnormal rainfall in Japan is mainly due to human-induced climate change. Follow along as we listen to the news story in simplified Japanese. With the rainy season upon us, we learn some rain-related expressions, as well as terms to know to be prepared for heavy rains and potential natural disasters.

Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about a group of bystanders who used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to revive a young girl that suddenly collapsed during basketball practice. Japan has widespread deployment of AEDs, but public awareness and preparedness remains an issue. We study Japanese phrases and vocabulary for emergencies, and learn about how to use these lifesaving machines, and where they can be found.

Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about how Japan has taken the top spot in a ranking of global travel destinations published every 2 years by the World Economic Forum. In recent years, Japan has been working to increase multilingual signage and provide more resources for international travelers, especially in the run-up to the recent Tokyo Olympics. We learn some useful phrases for getting around town and share some sightseeing tips.

Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about a new service that allows consumers to pick up prescription drugs at convenience stores. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the government has eased drug regulations, allowing pharmacists to give usage instructions for medications online. We study Japanese words related to medicine, and learn about some of the many services available at Japanese convenience stores.

Japan is experiencing record-breaking heat, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in June for the first time in the country's recorded history. Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about how to protect yourself from heatstroke by using your air conditioner more effectively — thereby minimizing energy consumption. We learn Japanese words for summer appliances and ways to save energy while beating the summer heat.

As the popularity of e-scooters grows, so are incidents of riding under the influence of alcohol. Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about police and an industry group going around to Tokyo restaurants to spread awareness of e-scooter safety. We also study vocabulary words related to traffic rules and also learn about bicycle rules and regulations in Japan.