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Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 26, 2020

Let's discuss the drop in suicides

A Japan Times article provides some lessons in English with regards to a sudden drop in sucides in Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
May 22, 2020

Language barrier hampers flow of virus info to Hiroshima's foreign residents

Although the city's website is equipped with a language-switch option, the question remains as to how many residents know about it.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 19, 2020

Let's discuss reopening businesses

A Japan Times article outlines what the governors of certain prefectures are doing as a state of emergency draws to a close.
Reader Mail
May 15, 2020

Japan Red Cross lacks English ability

Regarding the May 7 story “Japan Red Cross seeks donors as blood and bone marrow supplies run low,” my husband and I tried to donate blood at a Red Cross location in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, but were turned away because our Japanese isn’t very good. They didn’t want to bother trying to explain everything...
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 12, 2020

Let's discuss the pandemic economy

Do you agree with the state of emergency extension? An article looks at the impact it could have on the economy in a COVID-19-themed English lesson.
JAPAN
May 5, 2020

Japan's travel security info service to cover Line users

The Foreign Ministry's email-based security information service for Japanese travelers overseas will become available for users of the Line free messaging app.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 5, 2020

Let's discuss classes in the age of coronavirus

Universities look at ways to deal with learning during the pandemic in a ready-to-go English lesson that includes questions and discussion topics.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Apr 28, 2020

Let's discuss the state of emergency

Talk about Japan's state of emergency and what the government is doing to help in this Morning English lesson.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Apr 22, 2020

Designing for good: Creators in Japan respond to the coronavirus

From face shields to social distancing apps, made-in-Japan creativity has got you covered.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Apr 21, 2020

Let's discuss Hikakin and Yuriko Koike

A Japan Times story looks at the YouTube interview social media personality Hikakin did with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 20, 2020

Strength in numbers: A more open approach to tracking the virus in Japan

Like many foreign residents of Japan during the early days of the country's COVID-19 outbreak, Shane Reustle and Jiahui Zhou recall poring over websites run by the health ministry and local municipalities to try to get a clear picture of how infections were spreading in the world’s third-largest economy....
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.

Longform

In 2020, 38% of all households were single-person. That figure is projected to rise to 44.3% by 2050.
The rise of AI companionship in a lonely Japan