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LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Apr 14, 2020

Let's discuss memes

This Japan Times article looks at a recent meme spawned by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's recent mask policy, but what's a meme?
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Apr 7, 2020

Let's discuss panic-buying at the supermarket

An English lesson looks at what you do to prepare for a weekend at home.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Apr 4, 2020

In Tokyo, self-isolation doesn’t mean you can’t eat well

Self-isolating doesn't have to mean you can't eat well. It also doesn't mean you can't eat food prepared by your favorite restaurants. In fact, if we want to see those restaurants back in action once the worst is over, it is essential that we keep up our patronage, to carry them through this crunch time.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Mar 31, 2020

Let's discuss the cherry blossoms

An article by Alex Martin looks at the history of Japan's iconic cherry blossoms, serving up new English terms in the process.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Mar 24, 2020

Let's discuss the mask shortage

The reselling of face masks for profit will become a crime punishable by a one-year prison term or a u00a51 million ($9,800) fine — or both — as demand surged amid the growing coronavirus epidemic, the government said Tuesday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health / FOCUS
Mar 23, 2020

Whatever it takes: Ventilator industry enlists army in battle to save coronavirus patients

On March 6, Gianluca Preziosa, the head of an Italian ventilator maker, received an urgent request. The Italian authorities wanted his help for an all-out effort to meet a desperate need for ventilators.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Mar 17, 2020

Let's discuss NHK's new web service

NHK plans to offer broadcasting on the internet, though the organization has had to scale back its goals.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Mar 11, 2020

Let's discuss emergency school closures

A Kyodo article looks at the government's latest effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Mar 3, 2020

Let's discuss whether you want to go to the Olympics

An article reports that Japanese are not as enthused about attending the Games as organizers would like.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 26, 2020

Departing from tradition with Hiromitsu Agatsuma and Akiko Yano

Shamisen player Hiromitsu Agatsuma teams up with singer and musician Akiko Yano for a new album which sees both depart from their previous styles and genres.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Feb 25, 2020

Let's discuss a drug scandal

Singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara is in hot water for alleged drug possession. What do you think needs to be done to deter people from using drugs?
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Feb 20, 2020

Savor Italian fare prepared by Michelin chef

A shared love of noodles, fresh and seasonal produce that speaks of the local terroir and a remit to enjoy slow food — it's quite possible that Italian is more woven into Tokyo's food fabric than any other international cuisine.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Feb 18, 2020

Let's discuss plastic bag fees in Japan

Would you be willing to pay an extra fee for plastic bags if it meant we were able to use the money to help with larger environmentally friendly efforts?
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Food Sustainability in Japan
Feb 15, 2020

Free-range eggs from Tottori help crack regional revitalization

A queue of people snakes alongside a shiny glass cafe, with many resigned to a two-hour wait. Their goal: some simple yet famously fluffy pancakes. This could be a typical scene from the trendy Harajuku neighborhood in Tokyo. Except this cafe is surrounded by hills of luscious green, hidden in the small...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 11, 2020

Defense info may have leaked from cyberattacks on Mitsubishi Electric

The Defense Ministry has said that defense-related information may have leaked following cyberattacks on Mitsubishi Electric Corp. last year.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Feb 11, 2020

Let's discuss the reaction to the coronavirus

A Bloomberg article outlines the problematic reactions of people in Asia toward Chinese tourists and expats as a coronavirus that originated in Wuhan spreads overseas.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Feb 4, 2020

Let's discuss Harry and Meghan

An article by Reuters looks at the current state of the British royal family and a surprise announcement by Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess fo Sussex.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Jan 28, 2020

Let's discuss curbing food waste

A lot of food in Japan goes to waste so let's learn how to talk about what we should do with it.
JAPAN
Jan 26, 2020

Opposition camps pressure Abe administration to disclose more info on state-funded cherry blossom party

Leading officials from opposition parties on Sunday urged the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to disclose information related to a state-funded cherry blossom-viewing party at the center of cronyism allegations involving his administration.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2020

Personal info of 8.9 million in Japan compromised by viruses and unauthorized access in 2019

Computer viruses and people accessing databases without authorization have led to the compromise of personal information belonging to 8.9 million workers and customers of 32 publicly traded companies in Japan last year, a private credit research firm said Thursday.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Jan 21, 2020

Let's discuss the casino controversy

A scandal concerning casinos has everyone placing bets on how much trouble the initiative may cause.
Jan 16, 2020

The "5 Million Yen Crab," a Tottori Prefecture Specially Selected Matsuba Itsuki-boshi Crab, has been Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the Most Expensive Crab Sold at Auction!

Tottori Prefecture, known as Japan's No. 1 crabbing prefecture, recorded a bid in the first auction on November 7 this year for a crab at a record-high amount of 5 million yen.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Jan 14, 2020

Let's discuss Carlos Ghosn

Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn's surpise escape to Lebanon allows us to examine the language of fleeing a situation.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Jan 7, 2020

Let's discuss Amazon and its taxes

A Kyodo article on Amazon provides a hefty dose of business English to start the 2020s.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 6, 2020

Asia's bad to good moments in 2019

Positive news was hard to find in much of the region as economies slowed and political woes mounted.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Dec 31, 2019

Let's discuss gender equality in Japan

Japan has slipped down the rankings when it comes to gender equality worldwide. How do you think Japan is faring?

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone. 
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan